Dong Hua Sao National Park on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos.    --Photo Visit Laos

Laos ranked third in global tourism development gains

Laos has recorded the third-highest improvement in tourism development among destinations worldwide, with its score in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) increasing by 6.1 percent between 2024 and 2026.
Only Albania and Vietnam recorded stronger improvements, with their scores rising by 7.0 percent and 6.3 percent respectively. Qatar followed Laos with a 6.0 percent increase, while Malaysia and Thailand improved by 5.8 percent and 5.6 percent respectively, according to the World Economic Forum 2026.
The figures highlight the continued momentum of tourism development across the Asia-Pacific region, which was the most improved region in the 2026 index. Its average TTDI score increased by 3.6 percent between 2024 and 2026.
Seven of the 10 fastest-improving economies were developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting growing efforts to strengthen the foundations needed to support tourism growth.
The TTDI does not measure tourism performance solely by the number of visitors received. Instead, it examines conditions that enable tourism to develop sustainably and resiliently, including infrastructure, air connectivity, tourist services, natural and cultural resources, business conditions and sustainability.
Overall, 92 percent of the 110 economies assessed improved their TTDI scores between 2024 and 2026.
The latest result adds to growing international recognition of Laos as a tourism destination. Laos was ranked second among ASEAN countries and 22nd globally for ecotourism in the latest ranking by US News & World Report. Cambodia ranked first in ASEAN and 17th globally, while Thailand ranked third in ASEAN and 33rd worldwide.
Laos has also received recognition from international travel organisations. In 2025, Lonely Planet placed Laos among the world’s Top 5 countries to visit in its annual “Best in Travel” awards. Luang Prabang also received a Green Destinations Top 100 Story Award in 2025 for its sustainable tourism model.
The country’s growing tourism profile has been accompanied by rising visitor numbers. More than 2.5 million foreign tourists visited Laos in the first half of 2026, an increase of 9.87 percent compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Thailand was the largest source of visitors, with 833,738 arrivals, followed by China with 675,365 and Vietnam with 586,190.
The latest TTDI result places Laos among a wider group of destinations strengthening their tourism foundations, while the country’s natural and cultural attractions continue to support its development as an international tourism destination.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 1, 2026)