Laos Fears Chinese Tourists Invasion – But China-Laos Railway Project Is Under Way

It's a tricky question for Laos whether the growing numbers of the Chinese tourists are a good sign for the country or not. With more than modest results the Lao tourist sector showed last year with tourist arrivals actually falling 8.6% compared to 2016, visitors from China who were the only group of foreigners showing the steady growth in arrivals, could be a ray of hope – or not?

The constraction of the 414 km, USD6 billion high-speed railway line started last year and is due to be completed by December, 2021. It will eventually link a small border town of Boten sitting right on the Lao–Chinese border with the capital of Vientiane, with stops at Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng en route. It is expected that as soon as the first train hits the track, the numbers of the Chinese visiting Laos will sky-rocket. Today, they do already cross the border from China to Laos driving from Kunming to Luang Prabang and further south. In 2017, almost one third of the Chinese tourists entered Laos via this overland crossing.

It is the citizens of Luang Prabang who demonstrate major concerns about possible Chinese invasion. The Chinese already rent sjophouses and guesthouses there establishing services catering exclusively for their compatriots. They do not want to learn Lao and often put flashing neon signs on their shops which are forbidden in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO heritage site. Many locals consider that the result of this invasion could lead to Luang Prabang loosing its quiet charm of a laid-back cultural and tourist centre. What do you think?

Source