VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Laos is anticipating the arrival of 400,000 to 800,000 foreign visitors in November and December, bringing the total number of foreign visitors in 2023 between 2.9 million and 3.3 million.
With the last three months of the year being the high season, an influx of tourists is anticipated, which will push the total for the year well above the figure of 1.68 million visitors to Laos last year, the Lao national TV on Friday quoted Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket as saying.
According to statistics from the ministry, more than 2.4 million foreign tourists visited Laos in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of 285 percent compared to the same period last year.
The figures indicate the tourism industry is making a strong recovery, and it is expected that by the end of this year, the government's goal of tourist numbers will be reached.
The surge in visitor numbers has been partly attributed to the popularity of the China-Laos Railway and the expressway linking the capital Vientiane and tourist hotspot of Vangvieng.
A trip from Vientiane to northern Luang Prabang, Oudomxay and Bokeo provinces used to take many hours, but now the travel is faster and more convenient.
In addition, Lao Airlines is offering direct flights to and from countries in the region.
The Lao government has made tourism a top priority in efforts to revitalize the economy while rolling out a plan to attract at least 1.4 million foreign tourists in 2023.
In addition, the government is preparing for Visit Laos Year 2024 and expects to attract at least 4.6 million visitors next year, which will generate a revenue of at least US$712 million. - Xinhua
