VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Laos welcomed nearly 3.8 million international tourists in the first ten months of 2025, a 13 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
In figures released on 7 December, the Tourism Development Department confirmed that Asean nations dominated visitor arrivals, comprising 60.84 percent of the total.
Thailand spearheaded regional tourism with 1,236,626 arrivals, trailed by Vietnam at 959,575, China at 914,194, South Korea at 151,010, and Russia at 60,598.
Nature-based and cultural heritage sites emerged as key magnets for travelers, with Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Luang Prabang, Khammouane, and Champasack registering the strongest visitor footfall.
Luang Prabang also witnessed remarkable growth, hosting over 2.15 million tourists, both domestic and international, in just the first seven months of 2025, an 83.8 percent leap from 2024.
The UNESCO heritage town gained even more international attention when Lonely Planet named it Asia’s top destination for 2025, praising its history, temples, markets, and eco-friendly tourism.
In 2024, Laos received over 4.1 million tourists, generating USD 1.1 billion in revenue. The country now aims to exceed its 2025 target of 4.3 million international tourists by year-end. -- Laotian Times
