The launch of StarExpress is not only a significant breakthrough for China's tourism train industry but also an important milestone in CTG Asset's efforts to deepen tourism cooperation between China and Laos and promote the development of tourism along the China-Laos Railway, according to the company.

"The opening of the China-Laos Railway in 2021 is a tangible achievement of the BRI and a prime example of China sharing development opportunities with the world in a more open manner," says Lu Lu, chairman of CTG Asset.

The StarExpress train operating on the China-Laos Railway traverses mountains and rivers and will strengthen the friendship between China and Laos, supporting the BRI, Lu adds.

Chinese travelers have warmed to Laos since the China-Laos Railway went into operation and the recent visa-free policy has fueled their enthusiasm, says Guan Jian, an official with the Guangdong-based travel agency EC Walk.

The Lao government has introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese travelers accompanied by certified travel agents since July 1.

The announcement of the policy on June 26, which will end in June 2025, saw searches the next day for Laos tours on major travel agency Trip.com Group surge by 87 percent over the previous day, according to the agency.

Orders from mainland travelers to Laos have more than doubled year-on-year, with summer travel orders increasing by over 140 percent over the same period last year, data from Trip.com reveals.

Vang is happy about the operation of the tourism train and believes it will benefit his job as a tour guide.

"Chinese tourists have greatly increased since the opening of the China-Laos Railway and I receive two to three groups, each with 20 Chinese travelers, daily," Vang says.

He had trouble finding a job as an English teacher after graduation and decided to pick up Mandarin after seeing the potential increase in tourists from China.

"More are expected to come now that the tourism train is up and running," Vang says.

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