Laos received more than 2 million visitors in the first half of 2024

Laos saw a surge in tourism during the first six months of the Visit Laos 2024 year, with more than 2.1 million tourists visiting the country, up 26 percent from the same period in 2023.

The latest data from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) shows that the main markets for Lao tourism remain unchanged from previous years.

Thailand leads the way with 680,153 visitors. or 32.25 percent of the total. Vietnam follows with 512,042 visitors, accounting for 24.28 percent, and China comes next with 510,083 tourists, accounting for 24.18 percent of all arrivals. South Korea was also a significant contributor, with 134,246 visitors, accounting for 6.36 percent of the total. These four countries together account for the vast majority, 87 percent, of all tourists to Laos.

On the Western Front, the United States sent 37,752 tourists, accounting for 1.79 percent of the total, while France sent 28,814 tourists (1.37 percent) and the UK sent 24,430 visitors (1.11 percent).

Other notable sources include Russia, Japan, Germany, Cambodia and Australia each of which contributed less than 1 percent of the total. Collectively, these nationalities account for just 7.53 percent of all tourist arrivals.

To support the continued growth of tourism in the second half of the year, MICT organized an intensive two-month training course from May 6 to July 19 to enhance standards of Laotian guides to ASEAN level. The course combined theoretical and practical training to enhance their knowledge, understanding and skills, with an emphasis on multilingualism and professionalism to better serve tourists.

In July, the British travel website Lonely Planet named Luang Prabang province one of the seven best places to visit in southeast asia in 2024. The recognition was due to the city's dedication to preserving its ancient temples and spiritual heritage.

Source: tourismlaos