HANOI, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Lao Airlines opened a new route between the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and Kunming, capital city of China's Yunnan province to meet the need of growing tourism in the region, Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Monday.

"The opening of this new route (on Jan. 5) will mean we can better meet the demand and change in the tourism industry, as more tourists become interested in traveling to the region," said the deputy director of the airline Leuy Bounbandit.

In 2007, Luang Prabang province, home to the World Heritage site, welcomed 320,000 visitors, including 195,175 foreigners, and generated tourism revenues of about 80 million U.S. dollars, said deputy head of the Provincial Tourism Administration, Khamtanh Somphanvilay.

The province is expected to receive 500,000 visitors in 2010, 650,000 visitors in 2015 and 800,000 visitors in 2020, and gain tourism revenues of more than 200 million dollars in 2020, he said.

Now, Lao Airlines operates four flights a week between Vientiane capital and Kunming. The carrier, currently having three aircraft, plans to purchase a new MA60 plane in the near future.

Lao Airlines transported 251,000 passengers in 2005, over 275,000 in 2006, and 330,000 passengers in 2007, the newspaper said.

Domestic and international tourists alike are looking for new and exciting places to celebrate the coming New Year, and the popular tourist town of Vangvieng in Vientiane province is ready to hold its own special countdown party on an island!

According to Head of Vangvieng's Tourism Administration Office, Mr Phouvieng Sykaisone, the district has organised a trade fair at the old airstrip, where tourists can enjoy browsing amongst stalls of local handicraft, fruit, household appliances and clothes.

“The trade fair, which opened yesterday and will continue until the end of the year, is a central component of our celebrations for the upcoming new year. But best of all, we will join with a variety of entertainment venues in hosting New Years Eve celebrations on Don Kang Nam Xong (Xong River island), in Savang village in the centre of town,” he said.

He added that the island was a suitably large area, on which organisers had prepared open fire places for visitors to sit or dance around if it took their fancy, as well as lucky draws, games of petanque and volleyball and musical acts to attract revellers on New Years Eve and New Years Day.

“Many people like to visit the island because it is a beautiful area surrounded by the gently flowing river and limestone mountains, and it is located right in the centre of town,” he explained yesterday in a telephone interview.

“Savang village is currently under development,” he added, “there will also be a local trade fair here, at a village meeting area in the old market.” The fair will sell local skirts ( Lao sin ), traditional handicrafts and food to tourists who come to welcome in the New Year.

The district currently has 86 restaurants and more than 1,000 rooms available, including three hotels and 63 guesthouses, he said.

“In Vangvieng you can open your window and drink in the beauty of the stunning natural scenery, in refreshingly cool weather,” said Mr Phouvieng.

Vangvieng has in the past attracted a generally younger crowd, who come to relax and enjoy the Lao countryside by floating down the river on inflated tyres (tubing), kayaking and swimming in the Xong River.

There is also a range of trekking options and many people go out to explore the caves hidden in the limestone outcrops. On the gastronomic front, one can sample organic wine, shakes and pancakes made from mulberries, along with healthy mulberry leaf tea and deep-fried tempura leaves eaten with honey.

The tourist town of Vangvieng is now booming, as it is a convenient stopping point for many travellers journeying by road between the two World Heritage Sites of Luang Prabang in the north and Vat Phou Champassak in the south.

By Panyasith Thammavongsa