A ceremonial gong was struck nine times by the prime minister to mark the official opening of ‘Visit Laos Year 2018’. “On this occasion, I’d like to invite all tourists from Laos and overseas to visit Laos, with joy and happiness throughout the year and forever,” Thongloun said. The government has organised Visit Laos Year on two previous occasions – once in 1999-2000 and again in 2011-12 to encourage more tourists at home and abroad to visit sites within the country. During ‘Visit Laos Year 2018’, the nation will seek to attract at least 5 million arrivals generating revenue of about US$900 million. To better promote the ‘Visit Laos Year 2018’ campaign, the government approved six slogans of “Warmly Welcome to Visit Laos Year 2018”; “Laos Jewel of the Mekong”; “Laos Simply Beautiful”; “ Be the Good Host for Visit Laos Year 2018”; “Visit, Enjoy, Safety, Environmentally Friendly”; “Visit Laos, Experience the Diversity of Nature, Culture and History”.

Source: The Nation Bangkok October 30, 2017 07:18 UTC