Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vientiane (Agenzia Fides) - Steps forward are reportedly being taken towards Laos’ gradual opening to the external world. A “sustained tourism” has begun to take shape, with no harmful consequences for the cultural and social environment of the country.
Laos’ participation in the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations), the dialogue and approval of new agreements in terms of cooperation, defence, commerce, etc. are all becoming a source of support for the small country, as it seeks to establish more contacts with the outside world, especially, although not exclusively, with Asian countries. Within this process enter other factors such as culture, human rights, and religion, which according to experts will continue to play an ever-greater role in the country.
One of the recent signs of progress is the signing of a cooperative agreement, in the area of education, with Vietnam. According to the agreement, the two countries will work closely together in providing professional training and in the area of human resources, through an exchange program of teachers, delegates, students and textbooks.
Laos has also recently begun, in the past few years, to work more closely with Thailand, especially in the inauguration of the second “Friendship Bridge” between Thailand and Laos, on the banks of the Mekong, that forms a long border between the two countries. The structure has allowed for an increase in transportation services and commercial expansion and tourism. All these factors have raised hopes for Laos, a country that for many years was enclosed in a subsistent economy, that it will be able to find a stable welfare and profit from the incoming tourism.
One of the facets of tourist interest is the religion. Laos’ traditional art is first and foremost dedicated to religious works such as temples and Buddha replicas (the most common religion is Buddhism). In 1995, the city of Luang Prabang was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage site and is considered one of Laos’ most interesting places, attracting tourists from all over the world. Another site is the nature park near Phonsavan, in the Xieng Khuang province.
According to experts, “sustained tourism” in Laos is on the rise. It is a tourism that is programmed and consulted with local communities and investors, just and equally distributed for the good of the community, economically sustaining on a long-term basis, with no harm inflicted on the tourist attractions and nature. The progress of a sustained tourism is a challenge that must be met by all destinations, but most especially by the poor countries, who are also the most fragile, politically speaking, and poor in infrastructure and management. Developing a sustained tourism business is thus, a great potential for Laos, not only in economically, but also socially, through an improved use of the environmental, human, and cultural resources.
Unfortunately, there is another side to the economic progress of tourism in Laos: sexual tourism. It is a business that moves thousands of people each year, in search of paid sexual activity, and constitutes a negative result of the phenomena of globalisation. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/2008; righe 41; parole 503)
