Laos

The Lao government and the Lao Fuel and Gas Association has refuted the claim that the country could face fuel shortages, and that they have enough to meet demand

The Luang Say Lodge near Pakbeng is for sale

The Laos-China Railway has bought a new train that will be delivered on 21 Sep, which has wireless charging and touch sensitive seat adjustment systems. In 2023, it has seen 1.75 million pax use the railway, +103.7% YoY, and 61,698 passengers crossing the border since 13 Apr, with 201 travelling out of Laos and 190 travelling to Laos daily

PTT Laos, a fuel company, has warned that it is facing issues with fuel due to foreign currency exchange problems, and that the situation could lead it and other distributors to face “fuel shortages”

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its GDP forecast for Laos in 2023 to 3.7% from its previous 4%, but 2024’s growth forecast was kept at 4%. It noted that inflation for food prices has impacted purchasing power, and that “sound macroeconomic management” is needed

Thailand and Laos held a meeting in Loei to discuss tourism promotion, route connectivity, expediting the construction of a second Thai-Lao friendship bridge in Pak Chom district, cultural exchanges and economic, as well as social and security cooperation, among others. Laos is considering the development of its Muen border town in Vientiane to cater to the rising number of Chinese visitors traveling to Thailand following the launch of Thailand’s visa exemption policy for Chinese arrivals, opening the possibility of extending their journeys into Laos

Laos has won 147 ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards in the annual ASEAN Tourism Fair

Vientiane City is looking at developing package tours and upgrading the tourism landmarks ahead of the Viist Laos Year 2024 and the ASEAN Tourism Forum

Laos and Thailand are discussing ways to attract more tourists by encouraging connectivity between the two countries. This includes upgrading Laos’ Muen border town near Vientiane to be a permanent one by the year-end, as well as the construction of a second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Pak Chom district

Vientiane Capital plans to nominate Chanthabouly, Sisattanak, Sikhottabong, and Xaysettha Districts under the ASEAN Clean Tourist City awards

The Lao Kip has fallen vs the USD to a historic low, with more than 20,000 LAK

The Vientiane Capital Department of Information, Culture and Tourism has said that it is evaluating the improvements needed to be taken by hotels, F&B and tourist attractions, ahead of Visit Laos Year 2024. There are currently 9 5* hotels in the city, with plans to open 3 more by the year-end

The Laos Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism has said that the country has been focused on enhancing tourism legislation with an aim to improve tourism management, and also attract more investment. It is concentrating on visitors from APAC, as well as Europe, America and the Middle East

The Pang Hai and Ban Mom Border crossings between Luang Namtha, Laos and Yunnan, China, will reopen on 11 Sep, after being closed during the pandemic

Resort owner and local tour operators in Nong Khiaw village in Luang Prabang are concerned about “party boats” that have started to appear since 2022, claiming that it kills the ambience. They have stressed a lack of enforcement in the regulations

A National Assembly member from Vientiane Capital has urged the tourist police to be more helpful to tourists, and should impose warnings, not necessarily fines, on offences

Laos is working to upgrade its new Law on Tourism, which is expected to be presented at the next National Assembly meeting held between 30 Oct-24 Nov

Laos will attend the CITIE Guangdong International Tourism Industry Expo event from 15-17 Sep, with 5 organisations represented

Laos has symbolically received the ASEAN chairmanship from Indonesia during the ASEAN Summit. The PM called for a more connected and strengthened ASEAN community, as well as a promotion of carbon neutrality. It will take on the actual chairmanship in 2024

The Vietnam-Laos railway from Khammouane province in Laos to the Vietnam border is expected to open in 2028

Laos participated in the ITE HCMC from 7-9 Sep with 7 organisations represented

Luang Prabang is aiming for 1 million visitors in 2023, and 2.8 million in 2025

The Lao PM has ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate the possibility of offering multiple-entry visas, which could include unilateral visas for those countries who want to promote tourism to Laos

Vang Vieng is implementing improvements to its tourist facilities and services ahead of the Visit Laos Year 2024, including checks on tourism businesses, reducing noise pollution, improving infrastructure and planning events. The district saw over 300,000 tourists in H1 2023, 100,000 of which were international

Sekong Province is looking at how to improve the Tad Mai Fai waterfall area to make it more attractive for tourists

4 Thai banks: Thai Military Bank, Bank of Ayudhya, CIMB Thai Bank, and Bangkok Bank, have decided to withdraw their businesses from Laos due to stricter rules and a decrease in business activities, with many Thai business who previously operated in Laos closing down operations

Thailand’s new PM is set to visit Laos – the two countries are expected to discuss regional cooperation and collaboration

Laos recorded an inflation rate of 25.88% in Aug 2023, a decrease from Jul’s 27.8%. The hotel and restaurant inflation rate was +32.79%, up 3.87pp from Jul 2023

The Ministry of Information, Culture and Information (MICT) have set up a 13-member committee to oversee the 27th ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, and the ATF in Vientiane from 22-27 Jan 2024. It has selected 6 hotels for delegates, and is also looking at a tour program for delegates to visit Vientiane Capital

The Wanda Vista Hotel is set to open in Vientiane in Jan 2024, after previously seeing delays in construction as the Latsavong Plaza hotel