Arrival of Korean students signals return of tourism to Laos

This file photograph taken on March 12, 2020 shows an employee inviting customers at an open air restaurant on the banks of the Mekong river in Vientiane. - Laos has announced plans on Dec 17, 2021 to partially re-open to foreign travellers. - AFP

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Tourists and members of various international organisations are now starting to arrive in Laos after the government reopened the country to foreign nationals this month.

The first group to arrive on Monday heralded the revival of tourism after Laos closed its doors to foreign nationals in March 2020 when the Covid pandemic struck. The group comprised 17 students and six teachers from Ipo High School in Seoul, Republic of Korea, who arrived at Wattay International Airport.