VIENTIANE: The Culture and Tourism Ministry is aiming for 21 million domestic tourists to make trips in Laos from 2026-2030, anticipating an average travel time of three days and total tourist spending of US$5,448 million.
The ministry has also set a target to attract 22 million foreign tourists over this five-year period, with an average stay of 10 days and revenue generation of at least US$8,015 million.
The ambitious targets were revealed at the ministry’s Party Congress on Thursday (Sept 26), where the cultural and tourism development plan for 2026-2030 was discussed.
The 6th Party Congress was led by Politburo member, Khamphan Phommathat; and attended by a member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the ministry’s Party Committee and Minister of Culture and Tourism, Suanesavanh Vignaket, along with other Party members.
To pursue the targets, the ministry will strive to improve infrastructure at various key tourist attractions.
Another goal is to upgrade tourist attractions to higher standards through the participation of government, businesses, and local communities.
The ministry also plans to build new and improve existing tourist facilities and attractions along tourism routes between provinces in Laos and between Lao provinces and adjoining provinces in neighbouring countries.
This will be done as part of closer Greater Mekong Subregion collaboration and other regional cooperation frameworks.
In addition, the ministry will attach great importance to improving the skills of the labour force and personnel of the sector to deliver better services.
The congress elected 15 members of the new Party Committee out off 18 candidates, who will lead the work of the sector, striving to attain the adopted targets.Suanesavanh Vignaket was elected Party Secretary. - Vientiane Times/ANN
