The Tourism Development Department of Laos recently released a report informing that over 1.6 million international tourists visited Laos until June 2023.
The report reveals that from January to June 2023, a total of 1,674,436 tourists traveled to Laos. The top five countries whose citizens visited the country include Thailand (668,595), Vietnam (398,937), China (317,604), South Korea (72,958), and the United States (30,455).
Notably, the ASEAN countries accounted for the largest number of visitors, with 1,099,109 arrivals, followed by 427,520 visitors from the Asia-Pacific region, 100,615 visitors from Europe, 41,452 visitors from the Americas, and 5,740 visitors from Africa and the Middle East.
Comparing these figures to the January-September period in 2022, when Laos welcomed over a million tourists, it is expected that the country will reach or even exceed the two million visitor mark by the end of 2023.
The increase in tourist arrivals can be attributed, in part, to international media coverage from renowned publications such as Australian Travel Publication, National Geographic, CNN, Wanderlust, and Fodor’s, which have highlighted Laos as a must-visit destination.
Additionally, Laos is also currently preparing for an influx of Thai holidaymakers as the neighboring nation celebrates a six-day holiday. This is expected to further boost tourism and hospitality businesses in the country.
Laos has set ambitious goals for its tourism industry and aims to attract over four million visitors in 2024. To achieve this, the government plans to invest in infrastructure renovations, produce tourism advertising materials, develop QR codes for tourism sites, and create a comprehensive tourism handbook.
With a revenue target of USD 712 million, Laos is determined to showcase its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty as key attractions for tourists visiting the country.
