Laos
Khammouane Province, Champasak Province, gear up for key festivals.
Latest monthly intl arrivals
306,876
Sep 2025
Recovery vs 2019
85%
Sep 2019: 362,005
YTD Intl Arrivals
4,120,832
No 2024 data
Percent of 2024 Target
153%
of 2.7M target
Source: Intl arrivals - Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. Page last updated: 17 Dec 2026.
Latest Travel Industry News
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22-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundThe UN has officially recommended that Laos graduates from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. It will need formal approval from the UN Economic and Social Council, as well as the United Nations General AssemblySource: nationthailand.com/blogs/news/asean/40061542
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22-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundKhammouane Province will host its Sikhottabong Stupa Festival from 29 Jan-2 Feb. It will include religious activities, wax castle processions, a trade fair and cultural performancesSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/22/khammouane-to-host-annual-sikhottabong-stupa-festival-2026/
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22-Jan-2026 👨✈️ aviationLao Airlines passengers from Vientiane-Xiengkhuang will face limited baggage due to the limited runway for maintenance worksSource: facebook.com/LaoAirlines/posts/pfbid0Vk9G1P2n1sHQX7Yw9M65njwhZKy5QuGtzYZfPxjTJUYEspfJuaqHXJwAzSFUBnLDl
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21-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundThe Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Lao citizens to temporarily avoid applying for US visas after the US suspension of visa issuance from 21 JanSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/21/laos-advises-citizens-to-avoid-us-visa-applications-amid-temporary-suspension/
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20-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundChampasak Province will host its Vat Phou festival from 31 Jan-2 Feb. It will include religious activities, boat races, traditional boxing matches and elephant processionsSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/20/champasak-gears-up-for-vat-phou-festival-2026/
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19-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos will impose stricter controls around PM2.5 pollution during the Jan-Apr dry season, including a nationwide ban on outdoor burning, expanded hotspot monitoring systems and legal action against violatorsSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/19/government-tightens-controls-on-burning-activities-to-curb-forest-fires-pm2-5/
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17-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundBelarus and Laos have agreed to waive visas for one another’s nationals from 15 Jan, allowing them stays of up to 30 days, and maximum of 90 days within a calendar yearSource: eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-laos-visa-waiver-agreement-comes-into-force-175874-2026/
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17-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundThe top 5 nationalities visiting Laos in 2025 were Thailand, China, Vietnam, Korea and RussiaSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4397242197227246/
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16-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos saw 4,580,709 international tourists in 2025, +11% YoY and surpassing the target of 4.3 million visitors. From 2026-2030, Laos is targeting 43 million visitors: 21 million domestic and 22 million international visitors, with an average of 4.4 million per year, with revenue of $13 billion USDSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/16/laos-welcomes-nearly-4-6-million-tourists-in-2025-surpassing-annual-target/
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15-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos is targeting 6% GDP growth in 2026. Infrastructure and fiscal measures will be key initiatives to drive growthSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/15/laos-targets-6-percent-economic-growth-in-2026-amid-reforms-election-preparations/
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15-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundInflation in Laos dropped to 7.7% in 2025, from 23.13% in 2024, the Bank of Lao PDR has reportedSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/15/laos-inflation-falls-7-7-percent-2025-economic-stabilization/
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15-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos plans to use its cultural heritage as a driver for economic and social growth, boosting the management of UNESCO World Heritage sites and national heritage areas, strengthening national identity and promoting sustainable development under its “Green Industry” framework to develop tourism products that combine natural attractions, historical sites and ethnic traditionsSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/01/15/laos-plans-to-harness-cultural-heritage-for-sustainable-development
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15-Jan-2026 👨✈️ aviationSichuan Airlines will start a Chengdu-Vientiane flight on 22 MarSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4395106260774173/
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14-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundThe Masked Ghost Festival will be held in Xayabouly Province from 31 Jan-2 Feb. It includes a masked parade, music, dance, games and performancesSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/14/xayabouly-prepares-for-annual-masked-ghost-festival-2026/
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13-Jan-2026 👨✈️ aviationLao Airlines has added a flight from Vientiane-Luang Prabang on 17 Jan, using the C909Source: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4393508484267284/
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12-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang has warned its travel operators, boat operators and licensed tour guides that they must take responsibility for their staff and client’s behaviour, ensuring cleanliness and public order in the city. A first offence would incur a fine of $14 USD, re-education, an official record and clean-up and compensation for enforcement costs. A second offence would incur $46 USD fine and clean up expenses. More violations would see fines up to 5-10 times the 2nd offence cost. For those serious cases, licences could be suspendedSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/12/luang-prabang-warns-tour-operators-of-fines-for-littering-disorderly-conduct/
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12-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundThe Ministry of Culture and Tourism will support its targets through upgrading tourist sites with cooperation between the private-public sector and local communities, building new tourist facilities and improving attractions on routes linking Lao provinces and Laos to other countries. It will also upskill tourism personnelSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/01/12/laos-targets-22-million-foreign-tourists-over-next-five-years
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9-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos will start a feasibility study looking at building a railway between Vientiane-Pakse City, as well as planning to start construction on a rail link between Laos and Vietnam later in 2026Source: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/01/09/laos-forges-ahead-with-rail-expansion
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9-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundA cross-border bus service linking Bueng Kan province, Thailand, and Bolikhamxay province, Laos, will start on 7 JanSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/09/bueng-kan-bolikhamxai-cross-border-bus-service-begins-trial-operations/
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8-Jan-2026 👨✈️ aviationChampasack province has reported that it is in negotiations to open a Pakse-Guangzhou and Pakse-Hong Kong air routeSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/08/champasak-pushes-pakse-hong-kong-flights-to-boost-tourism/
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8-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos has set 6 major goals as part of its 2026-2030 plan: develop an independent and self-reliant economy, develop high quality and tech savvy human resources, improve people’s living standards, protect natural resources and enhance disaster preparedness for climate change and natural disasters, develop broad and effective regional and international connectivity, and ensure effective state governanceSource: en.vietnamplus.vn/laos-sets-six-major-goals-in-five-year-development-plan-post335597.vnp
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7-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundKhiri Travel has received the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification across all destinations where it operates – Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Sri LankaSource: ttgasia.com/2026/01/07/khiri-travel-achieves-group-wide-gstc-certification-in-asia/
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7-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundChampasack province will establish 46 new sub-districts across 10 districts, as part of a country-wide initiative started in Nov 2025Source: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/07/champasack-province-establishes-46-new-sub-districts-across-ten-districts/
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7-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos has resolved to now target moving closer to a high-income status country by 2055, under Vision 2055. It still targets graduation from Least Developed Country status in 2026Source: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/07/laos-targets-upper-middle-income-status-by-2055/
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7-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang province has announced major road repairs from 6 Jan-AprSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4387733531511446/
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6-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundVientiane is evaluating a proposal to create a floating night market along the Wat Tay drainage canal, with a feasibility study first being undertaken. The aim would be to increase tourism and improve urban waterwaysSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/06/vientianes-wat-tay-canal-could-become-floating-night-market-under-new-city-proposal/
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6-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundTad Yeuang waterfall in Champasack province is planning to diversify tourism activities in 2026, including more community tourism and coffee and tea activitiesSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4386627181622081/
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6-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundOudomxay’s Ethnic Festival will take place from 15-19 JanSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4386631638288302/
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6-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundKabongyay festival will take place in Savannakhet province from 19-20 Jan to highlight the Brou ethnic group. It will include a bonfire, procession, cultural shows and handicraftsSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4386625604955572/
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3-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundPhieng District in Xayaboury will hold their Giant Haystacks Festival from 7-11 Jan 2026Source: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4383926521892147/
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2-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundThe Sam Pang Stupa in Soukhouma district, Champasack province, has been recognised as a local-level cultural heritage site. The structure dates to the 12th centurySource: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/02/sam-pang-stupa-in-champasack-recognized-as-local-cultural-heritage-site/
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2-Jan-2026 🛬 inboundLaos will hold nationwide elections on 22 Feb, where members of the National Assembly and Provincial People’s Councils will be elected. The 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party will place from 6-8 Jan and elect new leadership and define policy for 2026-2030Source: laotiantimes.com/2026/01/02/laos-prepares-for-february-vote-amid-regional-election-year/
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