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Laos

A new tourism promotional campaign, “Lao visit Laos”, is rolled out to the domestic market.

Lockdown Status

Open

Inbound Travel

Restricted

Outbound Travel

Restricted

Confirmed

Deaths

Active

5 Day Rolling Ave

Source: John Hopkins University via COVID19 API (2020-07-08)

Latest Travel Industry News

Inbound Travel

Outbound Travel

Aviation

7 Jul inbound

Laos and Vietnam have committed to cooperate with each other, pledging to open air routes at the earliest possible time

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/07/07/lao-and-vietnamese-leaders-discuss-post-pandemic-cooperation/
4 Jul inbound

The building of the Vientiane Station on the Laos-China Railway started on 3 Jul

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/07/04/construction-of-vientiane-station-commences-on-laos-china-railway/
2 Jul inbound

A “Lao Visit Laos” scheme is being rolled out to encourage domestic tourism. It will start in Jul and be run by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hotel and Restaurant Association. Their aim is to make information readily available online about attractions, accommodation and restaurants. It will be a permanent project

Source: www.facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/permalink/2748446482106834/
1 Jul inbound

Laos has seen full bookings for Vang Vieng from domestic tourists travelling from Vientiane

Source: www.asiatraveltips.com/news20/17-LaosMyanmar.shtml
1 Jul inbound

The government confirmed that international borders will be closed except to Lao citizens and foreigners with good reason, and tourist and visitor visas will continue to be suspended. They will also relax further some lockdown restrictions, with sports competitions, casinos and some social gatherings to be allowed to resume, so long as guidelines are followed on COVID-19 prevention. Entertainment venues, such as karaoke bars, and gaming shops, will remain closed

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Govt125.php
30 Jun outbound

Thailand has opened up 37 border checkpoints on the borders with Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar to facilitate cross-border cargo and trading. Tourists will not be allowed to enter via these checkpoints still

Source: www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/06/30/cambodia-and-laos-happy-as-thailand-reopens-37-border-checkpoints
29 Jun inbound

Tourist numbers dropped by 17% from Jan-May, with just 886,440 tourists. The number of people using air and ground transport dropped by more than 90%. Arrivals from China dropped 16%, whilst from Thailand dropped 5%

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/login/index.php?ref=/sub-new/Current/Curr_Tourist_123.php
25 Jun inbound

The government will introduce more measures to encourage domestic travel, focusing on removing impediments to travel, standards of transportation and renovation of tourism sites in a draft plan. Tourism earnings of $450,000 USD were lost in Jan – Feb 2020

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/login/index.php?ref=/sub-new/Current/Curr_Govt121.php?fbclid=IwAR28D1r-A-4Elr2KRiyM_TQiZgbWbAMiyKkwVfqGXZNNW7mb3o7CsmVmKhM
24 Jun outbound

Mall operators in Thailand call for the government to resume flights to CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) nations. Some 12% of visitors to the Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Sia, Paragon are all from CLMV nations, and spend an average of $3,250 per visit

Source: www.phnompenhpost.com/business/thai-flights-will-reboot-trade?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=0836986aebe3e733b257c6ff1803dd1bbcd30bd6-1593049810-0-AaPuS4cOzPaEkp19ECGbDA0kcnHPNxGk5lSIL687PECRuQISe9--MNk2DxhWrowkVS0btcUjoFnbbPtvEDbdKoQhbSorSjZVjdmDBmAoBPP5XiUEu5Bk8bap-zMymruGmaleQ4r4hhYRKtoyfyoLAPLzyLHXVLpvoh2GRm3pcCQIGhmUvq-u1fJEU8ItemdlhiROonFBbl1MZBLE7vtVqwyfwJJmLVO18obhGhUOPJY6QOvvknVrivdaDjIe0SUSf7qPdCkpFdzdWx6HOU-GHiV2VHROzfDq3ol4wqzGDdwK7ZbzvwlpB4-a6xZR-C5VBz4r5WYvQ7lbmwdFzOZIKsw
22 Jun inbound

Chao Anouvong Park will be renovated to attract more tourists

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/06/22/chao-anouvong-park-to-be-upgraded-in-bid-to-attract-tourists/
22 Jun inbound

The Xieng Khouang Airport administration and operations has been handed over to the Lao Armed Forces. It will continue to work with the Department of Civil Aviation to develop the airport and increase passenger numbers

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/06/22/xieng-khouang-airport-handed-over-to-lao-air-force/
21 Jun inbound

The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone has proposed building a $150 million USD international airport, capable of receiving A320 and B737 aircraft. If approved, building could take just 18 months

Source: www.facebook.com/AeroLaos/photos/a.546113598770542/2951805671534644/?type=3&theater&ifg=1
19 Jun inbound

Champassak and Savannakhet provinces will benefit from a new joint project to preserve its heritage, with the CHAMPA project to boost their positions as tourist destinations

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Cultural_117.php
19 Jun inbound

Champassak province embarked on a program to attract more domestic tourists

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Champassak_promotes_117.php
17 Jun inbound

Employers can register with the Lao Social Security Organisation (LSS) to request financial assistance for unemployed or reduced working days staff. This would provide up to 60% support of their salary

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Social115.php
16 Jun inbound

Laos is facing surges in the price for essential foods

Source: www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/prices-06162020154319.html
15 Jun aviation

Lao Airlines has continued expanding its flight frequencies, with additional flights between Vientiane – Luang Prabang, and Vientiane – Pakse

Source: www.facebook.com/LaoAirlines/?__tn__=%2CdkCH-R-R&eid=ARCfbT-JLku1R2tubEROkRMsoJNjQWZvTbpkOup3Jkm0aDlDFhFRTLElb5n-bGm5brZztf5aEIWwRWLh&hc_ref=ARSDaJlg4rfaf3wu8jkS9iZL7_mHkB9XYF28JxjI5jFGSEFVo4EEz-wLnd4jPIMfd30&fref=nf&hc_location=group
13 Jun outbound

The Thai government has approved in principle the concept of travel bubbles, and potential target countries and territories could include Laos

Source: www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933984/ccsa-blows-towards-travel-bubble-plan
11 Jun inbound

More tourism sites may be established in Oudomxay, with 5 new sites under consideration

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Oudomxay111.php
11 Jun inbound

Xaysomboun may soon have new tourism sites after a government meeting. The first phase from 2020-2025 will see hiking, zip lining, camping and mountain climbing activities developed

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Xaysomboun111.php
11 Jun inbound

Laos has declared victory over COVID-19 as all confirmed cases are discharged from hospital and no new cases have been detected for 59 days

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/06/11/laos-declares-victory-over-covid-19/
11 Jun outbound

Vietnam is considering opening flights up to Laos, the Vietnamese government has announced

Source: e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/places/vietnam-considers-resuming-flights-to-some-asian-destinations-4113656.html
11 Jun aviation

Vietnam Airlines is hoping to resume international flights in July, potentially to Laos, subject to government permissions

Source: e.vnexpress.net/news/business/companies/vietnam-airlines-eyes-july-resumption-of-international-flights-4114005.html
10 Jun aviation

Lao Airlines will increase its flight frequency to daily between Luang Prabang and Vientiane from 15 Jun

Source: www.facebook.com/LaoAirlines/photos/a.606162339446126/3194143697314631/?type=3&theater
8 Jun inbound

The Chom Ong caves in Oudomxay will open soon to tourists

Source: www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2020/06/08/popular-chom-ong-cave-in-laos-all-set-to-reopen-to-visitors
5 Jun inbound

The Myanmar Deputy Minister of Hotels and Tourism said that the Myanmar government will work together with Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to introduce regional tourism, with the 4 countries signing an agreement to ease border access between them, although specific details have not yet been released

Source: www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmar-work-neighbours-revive-tourism.html
5 Jun outbound

The US government has suspended issuing certain visas for Laos citizens

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/06/05/us-suspends-visas-for-citizens-of-laos/
30 May inbound

All school classes will resume on 15 Jun. From 2 Jun, night markets, restaurants and cinemas can reopen

Source: en.vietnamplus.vn/asean-countries-continue-loosening-covid19-restrictions/174122.vnp
26 May inbound

Students, Lao citizens, experts and diplomats are allowed to enter and exit Laos with authorisation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Source: www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/26/c_139089408.htm
25 May inbound

Laos and China will organise joint training courses for tourism workers, teaching tour guides basic Chinese and developing skills so that Chinese tourists can have their needs met. They also agreed to bolster 2-way tourism

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Laos_China_98.php
25 May inbound

Laos and China will organise joint training courses for tourism workers, teaching tour guides basic Chinese and developing skills so that Chinese tourists can have their needs met. They also agreed to bolster 2-way tourism

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Laos_China_98.php
22 May inbound

Authorities announced they will start to reopen international borders with neighbouring countries (China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand), but foreigners would only be permitted to enter should they have the appropriate authorisation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Source: jclao.com/gradual-reopening-of-intl-borders/
22 May inbound

The Lao tourism board may be established again, according to the President of the LNCCI, in a webinar hosted by Austcham Lao PDR

Source: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=555528928720165
21 May inbound

Domestic travel is now permitted in Laos

Source: www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/21/c_139075552.htm
16 May inbound

Laos eased its lockdown restrictions from 15 May. Businesses and government agencies are allowed to reopen from 18 May, and transport and interprovince movement is allowed again. Schools will be reopened from 18 May in phases. Indoor and outdoor sporting activities are allowed to take place. However, night markets, beer shops, nightclubs, karaokes, casinos and cinemas will remain closed. Gatherings for weddings and cultural events are limited to 50 pax

Source: en.vietnamplus.vn/laos-relaxes-some-restrictions-after-33-days-of-no-new-covid19-cases/173416.vnp
16 May aviation

Laoskyway will resume flight services on 24 May

Source: www.laoskyway.com/?fbclid=IwAR2uH2OfBC-YTe4J-kzju4z2hf8r_cfr62_cKkzegDk57nEE_AfaQXcgVB0
15 May aviation

Lao Airlines will be resuming domestic flights from 22 May

Source: www.facebook.com/LaoAirlines/photos/a.606162339446126/3123521167710218/?type=3&theater
8 May aviation

Laos is extending its flight ban, with Lao Airlines also confirming that it would not reopen domestic flight routes. Luang Prabang tourist sites will remain closed

Source: www.ttrweekly.com/site/2020/05/laos-extends-flight-ban/
2 May inbound

Laos will allow restaurants, shopping centres, retail and service businesses to reopen on Mon 04 May, but people must wear face masks outside and keep social distancing. This will continue until 17 May, but should new infections be detected in 2 provinces, lockdown will be implemented once more

Source: asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Coronavirus/Virus-free-Laos-lifts-shutters-on-shops-and-restaurants
30 Apr inbound

Laos’ Q1 domestic and foreign visitors totalled 886,440, representing a 17% downturn YoY, with more than $450,000 USD lost in the first two months of 2020

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Asean81.php
28 Apr inbound

The Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association met with the government to convey their concerns and issues, many of which will take a long time to resolve

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/04/28/hotel-and-restaurant-owners-discuss-concerns-with-dpm/
24 Apr aviation

IATA’s revised estimates show that passenger demand could fall by 51% in 2020, with a loss of $0.22 billion USD in revenue and 23,800 jobs

Source: www.iata.org/en/pressroom/pr/2020-04-24-01/
15 Apr inbound

Lockdown extended by 14 days until 03 May

Source: www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Laos_extends_80.php
3 Apr inbound

Tourism businesses will have a tax deferral for 3 months from April, the government announced, as part of fiscal measures to help the economy

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/04/03/lao-government-to-provide-tax-breaks-reduced-rates-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/
29 Mar inbound

Laos will be under lockdown, with international and interprovincial borders closed to all travellers from 30 Mar to 19 Apr

Source: laotiantimes.com/2020/03/29/laos-to-enter-full-lockdown-starting-march-30/
24 Feb inbound

Laos could lose up to $20 - 25 million USD from travel cancellations. However, this is likely to increase if other tourists also stop visiting the country

Source: www.phnompenhpost.com/business/growth-laos-expected-remain-resilient-despite-economic-stresses

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Policy Summary

Lockdown Status

Businesses are allowed to reopen from 18 May, and transport and interprovince movement is allowed again. Schools reopened from 18 May in phases. Indoor and outdoor sporting activities are allowed to take place. From 2 Jun, night markets, restaurants and cinemas to be reopened. Entertainment venues such as karaoke, will remain closed, but casinos may open. Social gatherings and sports competitions permitted.

Travel Restrictions

International flights are suspended. (IATA).

Containment Policies Timeline

How to read this graph

International Travel Restrictions

0 - no restrictions
1 - screening arrivals
2 - quarantine arrivals from some or all regions
3 - ban arrivals from some regions
4 - ban on all regions or total border closure

Internal Movement Restrictions

0 - no restrictions
1 - recommend not to travel between regions/cities
2 - internal movement restrictions in place

Stay At Home Requirements

0 - no measures
1 - recommend not leaving house
2 - require not leaving house with exceptions for daily exercise, grocery shopping, and 'essential' trips
3 - require not leaving house with minimal exceptions (eg allowed to leave once a week, or only one person can leave at a time, etc)

School Closures

0 - no measures
1 - recommend closing
2 - require closing (only some levels or categories, eg just high school, or just public schools)
3 - require closing all levels

Economy Summary

Fiscal support for the tourism industry

Tax deferral for 3 months from Apr (3 Apr)

GDP Growth Rate

% per year

6.2

2018

5.0

2019

-0.5

2020

forecast

4.5

2021

forecast

Inflation Rate

% per year

2.0

2018

3.3

2019

5.5

2020

forecast

5.0

2021

forecast

Source: Asian Development Bank. Asian Development Outlook (April 2020).

Tourism Arrivals Summary

International Tourism Arrivals

YoY % change

6.0

Jan

3.0

Feb

-52.0

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Source: UNWTO INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND COVID-19 dashboard.

📋 About This Page

Travel impact dashboard is an easy-to-read resource to stay informed on the impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry. Get the latest travel news and analysis on Southeast Asia tourism.

For travel professionals who need regular updates on their source markets. Know when to start marketing for inbound and outbound tourism.

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The content is a general description of informative nature only and is accurate at time of publication. Pear Anderson assumes no responsibility for completeness, errors or omissions in the information and makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information. This collection of content is created by Pear Anderson and various sources credited on the page.

Laos

Latest Travel Industry News

Policy Summary

Lockdown Status

Travel Restrictions

Containment Policies Timeline

Economy Summary

Fiscal support for the tourism industry

GDP Growth Rate

Inflation Rate

Tourism Arrivals Summary

International Tourism Arrivals

📋 About This Page

✉️ Stay Updated With Weekly Updates

🌏 Coronavirus Impact Summary

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