Sea Games tours to Laos lacks attraction due to high cost
11:14' 18/11/2009 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Even though the 2009 Southeast Asian Games, or the 25th Sea Games, is drawing near, few Vietnamese tourists have put their names down for the regional sports event due to the high costs.
VietNamNet/SGT
Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing executive of Saigontourist Travel Service, said only 50 people had come to register with her travel firm for tours to Laos on this occasion.
High cost is a hindrance, preventing people from attending Sea Games, said another tour operator in HCMC.
“Though lots of people have come for information, no one has registered till now,” said Ta Thi Cam Vinh in charge of Ben Thanh Tourist’s outbound section. The price is at US$375 exclusive of the return air ticket per person for a tour to Laos within seven days compared to a tour to Thailand costing only US$300, she told the Daily.
Vo Dong Hai, marketing executive of SPSC Tour under Saigon Petroleum Service Company, predicted that around 40 people will register to go to Laos for this Sea Games.
It is the first time Laos ever hosts the Southeast Asian Games from December 9 to 18. This event will take place in its capital city of Vientiane, Prabang and Savannakhet, where athletes from the region will compete in 25 sports.
The opening ceremony will take place at the New Laos National Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 25,000 people.
-- Edited by samakomlao on Thursday 19th of November 2009 12:54:03 AM
Oh my god, go to Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia.... more cheaper than Laos. Without Seagame, Laos was so boring, Laos travel agents must do something poor quality + high cost = nobody want travel to Laos
You guys just look at the picture on top, You will understand why Laos so boring
some will consider laos is boring, but personaly, i consider laos is peacefull and i love that.
About the prices... they remain low compared with western or more developed country, but they are rising considerably every year for a quality that is not so much better... and they seems to become high comparing with neighbour countries...
That's sad, but Laos need so much more ressources, we can understand... but if they go too far in this way, they will just make tourists run away. Prices for tourists should not be too much higher than for local people (at equal quality)... a little bit higher (to help develp the country) is OK, but too much make the tourists feel local people/vendor are trying to cheat and consider them just as "vache à lait " (sorry, it's french, i cannot translate)
You guys just look at the picture on top, You will understand why Laos so boring
some will consider laos is boring, but personaly, i consider laos is peacefull and i love that.
About the prices... they remain low compared with western or more developed country, but they are rising considerably every year for a quality that is not so much better... and they seems to become high comparing with neighbour countries...
That's sad, but Laos need so much more ressources, we can understand... but if they go too far in this way, they will just make tourists run away. Prices for tourists should not be too much higher than for local people (at equal quality)... a little bit higher (to help develp the country) is OK, but too much make the tourists feel local people/vendor are trying to cheat and consider them just as "vache à lait " (sorry, it's french, i cannot translate)
I think this is somewhat healthy for the businesses in Laos. It will weed out the bad businesses, and I'm sure they will learn from their mistakes. Only the best will survive after all these places test their limits charging ridiculous prices for some things. I think hotels and tourist sites are pushing the limit to see how far they can go. Regardless, tourism will continue to grow, and more business will open that cater to tourists, which mean the existing ones will have to change their strategy if they want to compete in the market.
Besides, the prices are not an entirely bad thing. Often times, rude falangs are just looking for cheap thrills and travels. It would be kind of nice if Laos wasn't a cheap-falang receptacle they way Thailand is. Perhaps it could be the destination for tourists with a bit of class.
I think is highly due to the down turns of global economy. People are being careful of what they spend now a day. If this was 3 or 4 years ago, when the economy was still some what strong I don't think we will not hear this kind of talks. Travel sites statistic shown that people are traveling less these days.
Besides, the prices are not an entirely bad thing. Often times, rude falangs are just looking for cheap thrills and travels. It would be kind of nice if Laos wasn't a cheap-falang receptacle they way Thailand is. Perhaps it could be the destination for tourists with a bit of class.
i totally agree with you there brotha. totally agree.
SEA GAME is sport and exclusive event of ASEAN, every body can come and see what you like , if you like sport ,pls do not making the comparation of price, the better thing is peace, stability and your pocket, how much money you have and what you wanted to do, Laos had only more 6 millions pls, living condition is higher than Vn, Cam , thai and Maymar, but Beer Lao, Lanxang Beer and Mekong beer are supper good, Cheap and no; 1 in South east Asia.
You guys just look at the picture on top, You will understand why Laos so boring
some will consider laos is boring, but personaly, i consider laos is peacefull and i love that.
About the prices... they remain low compared with western or more developed country, but they are rising considerably every year for a quality that is not so much better... and they seems to become high comparing with neighbour countries...
That's sad, but Laos need so much more ressources, we can understand... but if they go too far in this way, they will just make tourists run away. Prices for tourists should not be too much higher than for local people (at equal quality)... a little bit higher (to help develp the country) is OK, but too much make the tourists feel local people/vendor are trying to cheat and consider them just as "vache à lait " (sorry, it's french, i cannot translate)
