VIENTIANE - A new airport will be built in the southernmost province of Laos, Attapeu, at an estimated cost of US$46 million, to attract tourists and investors to the remote, undeveloped area.
Phetmixay Khampakdy, director of Attapeu's Public Works and Transport Department, told the Vientiane Times that the new airport would be operational by 2014.
Attapeu, which borders Vietnam and Cambodia, is rich in history, handicrafts and natural attractions. Its key tourist attractions include the 16th-century Saysetthatthirath pagoda, three waterfalls on the Xepain River and Attapeu pottery vases used to store rice wine.
Phetmixay said the airport, which is being built by Vietnam's Hoang Anh Gia Lia Group, would be able to accommodate twin-turboprop, short-haul regional aircraft in its first phase.
Currently, tourists wishing to visit Attapeu must fly to Pakse International Airport, 200 kilometres north-west of Attapeu, then continue their journey by bus or car.