Laos
Laos reports 1.4 mil int'l tourists in Q1 2026, +8% YoY; Thailand, China and Vietnam top source markets.
Latest monthly intl arrivals
456,840
Mar 2026
Recovery vs 2019
116%
Mar 2019: 393,497
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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30-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLaos and Thailand have met and agreed on new steps to limit transboundary haze under the CLEAR Sky Strategy 2030Source: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/30/laos-thailand-step-up-fight-against-cross-border-haze/
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30-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundA new Vientiane 4* hotel, Onelux Grand Hotel, saw its ceremonial foundation stone laidSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4502631140021684/
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29-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe Ministry of Culture and Tourism is looking to link its four southern provinces together as a connected tourism destination, to create new routes and encourage visitors to stay for longer, linking with tourist attractions in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. The Ministry called for improvements to the tourist sector, including access roads, signage, viewpoints, toilets, accommodation and restaurantsSource: asianews.network/laos-southern-provinces-eye-joint-tourism-circuit-regional-links/
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28-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundInflation in Apr 2026 was recorded at 10.2%, up from March 2026’s 9.7% and Feb 2026’s 6.2%. Transport saw an increase of 23.7% YoY, whilst housing, water, electricity and cooking fuel were +19.4%. Diesel prices in Apr 2026 were at $1.98 USD, up from Feb’s $0.91 USDSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/28/laos-inflation-rises-to-10-2-in-april-as-fuel-and-household-costs-climb/
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27-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang saw a 46% YoY decline in visitor numbers over Pi Mai Lao, with 68,126 visitors between 10-20 Apr vs 2025’s 126,846 in 2025. International arrivals declined by 42%, domestic by 48%. China was the top international market (2,102 visitors, +105% YoY), Thailand (1,207, -75% YoY) and Vietnam (+142% YoY). In revenue, Luang Prabang generated $52.2 million USD in 2026, vs $97.5 million USD in 2025. The average stay for domestic visitors was 3D2N with a spend of $109 USD pp, whilst international visitors was 5D4N and $300 USD ppSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/27/luang-prabang-tourism-halves-year-on-year-during-pi-mai-lao/
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27-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLaos saw 1.36 million international tourists in Q1 2026, +8% YoY. Jan 2026 recorded 537,267, Feb 2026 365,340 and Mar 456,840. Thailand accounted for 31% of total arrivals, at 415,580. China and Vietnam were the second largest arrivals market, South Korea 4th and the U.S. 5th, with arrivals +38.8% YoY. ASEAN overall accounted for 52% of arrivals, at 705,228 (+4.7% YoY), Europe 158,995 (+52.5% YoY), Asia Pacific 31.7% share (-1.1% YoY) and Americas 55,155, +38.7% YoYSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/27/laos-draws-1-36-million-tourists-in-first-three-months-of-2026-up-8-percent/
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27-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundA new agritourism product is being developed in Xieng Lom, Luang Prabang, with an “orchestrated waterfall”Source: vientianetimes.org.la/freefreenews/freecontent_77_The_infinite_y26.php
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24-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLuang Prabang is being reported as the busiest passenger hub on the Laos-China Railway line – it has served more than 4.36 mil passengers since its opening. From 10-20 Apr, Luang Prabang saw 68,126 visitors, of whom 27,251 were international. The top source market to Luang Prabang was China, followed by Thailand and VietnamSource: english.news.cn/20260424/2e7046d1179a47b4bc1f97244f187704/c.html
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24-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundAfter a fatal overnight bus crash in Bolikhamxay Province that killed 8 people, Analine Travel Co., Ltd has seen the suspension of all of its passenger transport services. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has called for inspection of passenger vehicles and driver qualifications, which should be completed by 2026Source: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/24/travel-company-suspended-after-deadly-bus-crash-in-bolikhamxay/
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22-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe Deputy PM visited Beijing, meeting President Xi as well as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China pledged to support Laos in development strategies, including whole-industry chain cooperation in minerals and electricity and the country’s economic transformationSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/22/lao-deputy-prime-minister-saleumxay-meets-xi-jinping-in-beijing/
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22-Apr-2026 👨✈️ aviationLao Airlines launched its Vietiane-Jiayang flight on 21 AprSource: facebook.com/LaoAirlines/posts/pfbid02rkYKt75LNzmQTcEXfTQdj4q1iYuNkxNEgjb9qmnppkgmtpbigdKFqAahiKACvjHel
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22-Apr-2026 👨✈️ aviationVietjet will reduce its services on the HCMC – Vientiane toute to 4 flights per week, from 7 timesSource: facebook.com/groups/tourismprofessionalsinlaos/posts/4494079690876829/
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21-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundRed lanterns have been removed from Chang cave in Vang Vieng over concerns that they were not aligned with Lao cultureSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/21/red-lanterns-removed-from-vang-viengs-chang-cave-over-un-lao-concerns/
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15-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLaos’ haze has been reported at “Very Unhealthy” and “Unhealthy” levels across the country due to hotspots and dry conditionsSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/15/ministry-warns-of-dangerous-haze-blanketing-laos/
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14-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe Laos-China Railway in Q1 2026 has carried 112,000 cross-border passengers, +32.4% YoYSource: global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202604/14/WS69dd9dd0a310d6866eb433f7.html
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13-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundVientiane’s Southern Bus Terminal has added 6 daily services to accommodate travellers for Pi Mai Lao, operating 70 trips per daySource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/13/vientiane-southern-bus-terminal-adds-trips-for-pi-mai-travel-rush/
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13-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundA new international bus route has been launched from Xiang Hung City in Yunnan province, China, to Xiang Kok village in Luang Namtha, Laos, with the launch of the new route coincided to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and China. The bus will run one round trip per day, with each trip taking 7-8 hoursSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/13/laos-china-launch-new-cross-border-bus-route-linking-yunnan-to-luang-namtha/
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13-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe ADB latest forecast sees Laos’ economic growth at 4% in 2026, compared to 4.4% in its earlier forecast for FY 2026, whilst 2027 growth is set at 4.5%. It also expects inflation to grow to 9.8%, up from 7.7% in 2025Source: english.news.cn/20260413/d904bab54f8746ccb21d6804bd7e7f0c/c.html
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12-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe China-Laos railway has carried over 800,000 cross-border passengers since its launch in Apr 2023, operating 3,190 tripsSource: english.news.cn/20260412/7fff462a6e534712969b489a1471e762/c.html
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11-Apr-2026 👨✈️ aviationChina Eastern launched a Vientiane-Wuhan flight once weeklySource: english.news.cn/20260411/8481bbe25c494064ac51378eb0f7c578/c.html
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10-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLaos is preparing for extreme hot weather for the Lao New Year, with some places set to experience 43 degrees CelsiusSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/10/laos-braces-for-extreme-heat-during-new-year-celebrations/
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9-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundVientiane province is aiming to reach economic growth of at east 6% from 2026 to 2030, and 6.5% by the end of the period. Tourism will play a role in the 5 key strengths to achieve thisSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/04/09/vientiane-province-raises-five-year-growth-targets
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9-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundLaos will open its first aquarium in Vientiane, built at the Living Aquatics Resources Research Center, with an investment of $10 million USD ad as pat of cooperation between China and LaosSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/09/laos-plans-to-open-its-first-aquarium-in-vientiane/
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9-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundPM2.5 levels have remained high in Vientiane and several other provinces due to biomass burning, forest fires and transboundary hazeSource: english.news.cn/20260409/c856928d030d424aabe4a5a4bbe6f0be/c.html
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8-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe PM has stressed that tourism safety must be of upmost importance to the tourism sector, and that legal frameworks must catch up, particularly for higher risk activities such as hot air ballooning and paramotoring. He called for better communication, incident alerts and multilingual support for visitors, as well as coordination between all sectors. The PM stressed that tourism development should be linked to culture, and that cultural identity should be turned into meaningful experiences for visitorsSource: laotiantimes.com/2026/04/08/laos-pm-orders-tighter-safety-rules-for-tourism-sector/
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8-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundThe PM has called for further promotion to ensure that the Visit Laos-China Year 2027, Visit Laos Year 2029 and Visit Laos-Vietnam Year 2030 is successful. He stressed that early planning is essential and the World Heritage Sites should be a focusSource: vientianetimes.org.la/freefreenews/freecontent_68_PM_y26.php
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7-Apr-2026 🛬 inboundNamdong Park near Luang Prabang city is set to open for Pi Mai Lao under the first stage of its developmentSource: thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/04/07/laos039-namdong-park-prepares-to-debut-this-month
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