Tourism boom nets 2.3 million foreign visitors to Laos in seven months

In a bid to bolster tourist numbers, the government has approved visa-free entry for tourists from certain countries and has increased the number of days that they can remain in Laos. - Xinhua

VIENTIANE: Tourism in Laos has rebounded, with more than 2.3 million foreign visitors coming to the country in the first seven months of this year, an increase of 18 per cent compared to the same period last year, generating more than US$700 million in revenue.

Meanwhile, the number of Lao tourists exceeded two million people, an increase of 78 per cent, generating more than US$332 million in revenue, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa told attendees at the start of a national tour guide training course in Vientiane on Monday (Sept 9).