Tourism experts from Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian gathered in central highlands Gia Lai province August 8 to find ways to promote tourism between the three Indochinese countries, state media has said.
The experts discussed the cooperation mechanism among the three nations and sought practical measures, and projects to develop tourism potentials of each country, the Vietnam News Agency said.
Delegates also called on Indochinese governments to increase investment in the tourism sector’s infrastructure and encourage both local and foreign companies to invest in the three countries’ economic development triangle, the agency said.
The triangle area includes Vietnam’s provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong, Lao provinces of Atopu, Sekong, and Salavan, and Cambodian provinces of Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondunkiri.
As planned, tourism leaders of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam will sign a declaration on strengthening cooperation in tourism October 5.
In the coming months, the three sides will join hands in carrying out the “Three countries - one destination” program, to propose some projects to international tourism organizations and international donors like UNWTO, ADB, AJC and JICA.
At present, Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces of Vietnam arrange tours to Cambodian and Lao localities through the Bo Y border gate.
Vietnam welcomed around 89,000 Cambodian visitors and 15,400 Lao arrivals in the first seven months of 2008, down 6.5 per cent and 16.6 per cent on year, respectively. (VNA, GSO Edition July)
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