Funfair located near the Mekong river, Vientiane Night Market, Laos. (Basile Morin/Wikimedia)
On July 6, Laos reported strong tourism growth during the first five months of 2026, welcoming more than 2.1 million international visitors, according to a government report presented at the First Extraordinary Session of the 10th National Assembly. The figure represents a year-on-year increase of 8% and reaches 47% of the country’s annual target of 4.46 million foreign arrivals.
The rise in visitor numbers also translated into significant economic gains. Tourism generated more than 960 million US dollar in revenue during the reporting period, reinforcing the sector’s role as a key contributor to national income, foreign exchange earnings and broader economic development.
Domestic tourism also maintained positive momentum, with around 1.3 million trips made by local travellers. This accounts for 30% of the annual goal of 4.3 million domestic trips approved by the National Assembly.
Beyond visitor numbers, the report highlighted progress in tourism infrastructure and destination management. Authorities completed land surveys and boundary demarcation at three tourism sites, exceeding the annual target of two locations and reaching 150% of the planned objective.
Despite the encouraging national figures, some destinations experienced a downturn. Luang Prabang Province reported fewer international arrivals than during the same period in 2025. Officials attributed the decline primarily to higher travel expenses caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have pushed up global fuel prices and increased transport costs.
The government has also stepped up efforts to improve tourism standards and safeguard visitors. In cooperation with representatives from the Chinese Embassy, authorities have intensified action against so-called “zero-dollar tours”, a practice often associated with poor-quality travel packages and unfair commercial activities.
As part of the crackdown, officials inspected five souvenir shops suspected of pressuring tourists into buying overpriced and low-quality goods. The government said the measures are aimed at strengthening consumer protection, promoting fair business practices, boosting visitor confidence and supporting the long-term sustainability of Laos’ tourism industry.
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