VIENTIANE, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has called for greater efforts to promote sustainable tourism and cultural preservation, emphasizing their significant contributions to socio-economic growth.

Authorities in the tourism sector should collaborate with other sectors to ensure that industrial development is compatible with the tourism industry and promotes sustainable tourism, Lao News Agency on Monday quoted Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone as saying at the annual meeting of the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

Sonexay also called for the promotion and preservation of Lao culture, including the creation of cultural villages, the restoration of traditions, and the elimination of outdated customs. Efforts to improve libraries, museums, and heritage sites were emphasized to attract more visitors.

The government focused on managing historical, nature-based, and agriculture-based attractions, with an emphasis on active community involvement and ensuring visitor safety. It also called for improved services and the creation of diverse tourism products.

The meeting, held from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7, also reviewed the visa waiver policy introduced during Visit Laos Year 2024, with recommendations expected to guide future policies.

The tourism sector saw strong growth in 2024, with 4.1 million foreign visitors generating 1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. Domestic tourism also thrived, with 3.3 million Lao travelers spending 540 million dollars within the country. Enditem

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