Luang Prabang saw tourist arrivals doubled in 2025, reaching 3.5 million compared to 2.3 million the year before, a rise of roughly 1.19 million.
Authorities credited the surge, up roughly 52 percent year-on-year, to a strong focus on tourism and services while preserving the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status, as presented by Bounleua Sinxayvoravong, Governor of Luang Prabang, on 27 May.
In 2026, they unveiled a five-year development strategy (2026-2030) to build on that growth, centering on infrastructure upgrades and improved services that balance modern comforts with cultural and environmental sustainability.
Despite the strong 2025 figures, the province recorded a sharp drop in visitors during the Lao New Year (Pi Mai Lao) festival 2026. Tourist arrivals between 10 and 20 April fell 46 percent year-on-year, dropping from 126,846 in 2025 to 68,126 in 2026, according to the provincial culture and tourism department.
Nationwide
Laos welcomed nearly 4.6 million tourists in 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, the country received 1.36 million visitors, up 8 percent from the same period the previous year.
The government is targeting between 5 and 6 million international arrivals by the end of 2026.
