7:59 PM | Posted by samakomlao

Visa waivers mean more tourists to Laos

Laos has seen an increase in the number of tourists in the past eight months as a result of a strong campaign to promote tourism both within the country and overseas, according to a tourism official.

This has also been helped by a visa waiver agreement for some Southeast Asian countries, which means visitors from these countries can now travel from within Laos to neighbouring countries... more info

Tourist arrivals to Laos have increased during the eight month of this year, as visitors have gained easier access to the country.

The number of visitors in the past eight months reached 780,643, up 10 percent from the same period last year, according to the Lao National Tourism Administration.

This period also saw an increased number of visitors from neighbouring countries, with Thai visitors leading the way with 432,810, up 10 percent from last year, followed by Vietnam with 122,248, up 17 percent. Visitors from the US numbered 30,011, up 3 percent.

There were also more visitors from Southeast Asian countries and the Asia Pacific basin, especially Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, China, Taiwan and Australia.

Meanwhile visitors from Finland, Greece, Norway and Austria are arriving here in increasing numbers.

Transport is also more convenient than in the past, as many airlines link to the country, the official said, and tourists were impressed with historical and cultural sites, services and people.

“Those were very important factors in the promotion of tourism in Laos,” he said.
This year, Laos expects to receive about 1.3 million visitors, 10 percent more than last year, when arrivals reached the one-million mark.

The Lao National Tourism Administration was extremely happy with the figure after promoting tourism over a long period.

The tourism industry is now the country’s leading income earner.

Source: vientianetimes.org.la