Visitors​ enjoy the beauty of Tad Kuangxi waterfall in Luang Prabang province. --Photo Teng

Laos records more than ​1.1 mn foreign tourists in first three months of 2024

More​ than​ 1.1 million foreign tourists visited Laos in the first three months of this year, an increase of 36 percent compared to the figures for the same period in 2023, according to​ the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Statistics compiled by the Tourism Marketing Department of the Ministry  showed that 347,595 visitors came from Thailand, 264,710 from Vietnam,​ 242,404 from China, 105,642 from the Republic of Korea, 25,455 from the USA, 20,339 from France, 14,276 from the UK, 11,805 from Russia, and 9,523 from Germany.
The number of tourists increased as  Laos has launched the Visit Laos Year​ 2024​ campaign and more travellers are using the Laos-China Railway, according to an official who asked​ not​ to be named.
The railway is a very popular means of travel and passes through Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces, which have many places of interest to tourists, including adventure activities.
Under the Visit​ Laos​ Year 2024​ campaign, tourism authorities and operators have improved services at hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, and added more facilities at tourist sites, in order to provide a better and more interesting experience to visitors.
Laos’ tourist attractions have been hailed in foreign newspapers and magazines, and more people are now aware of what the country has to offer, as well as its affordable prices.
The country’s special attractions have been cited in several foreign publications and websites, with river trips through the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park in Huaphan province listed among the world’s top 10 best night safaris in an article posted on the Condé Nast Traveler website in February 2023.
In March 2023, Luang Prabang was recommended by the American magazine Time as one of the 50 greatest places to visit.
The magazine described Luang Prabang as “a hidden paradise”, saying turquoise waterfalls, Buddhist temples and sunset boat trips on the Mekong River are just a few of the province’s highlights.
Luang Prabang is one of the most well-known provinces in Laos and is a top tourist draw because of its riverside location, scenic beauty, old temples, quaint streets and alleyways, and festivals.
The city’s old quarter was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which deemed its architecture was culturally significant and worthy of protection by the UN.

By Times​ Reporters​
 (Latest Update May 6, 2024)