The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos has recently revealed figures of tourist arrivals to the country in 2017. Total arrivals fell almost 9% to 3.9 million guests, while numbers of visitors from ASEAN countries are down 11%. The total figure could have been even more depressing if not for the Chinese tourists: almost 640.000 visitors from China entered Laos in 2017 what is 17% more compared to the previous year. There is a modest 2% increase in arrivals from Africa and Middle East, too.
While the Ministry of Tourism of Laos could be asking themselves how to boost the number of tourists, we are thinking whether it isn't the best time to visit Laos still unspoiled by mass tourism.
With regional low-cost airlines operating direct flights to Wattay International Airport in Vientiane from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, Hanoi and Phnom Penh and to Luang Prabang International Airport from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi and Siem Reap travelling to Laos became more affordable than it used to be.
Boasting both natural and historical sites, Luang Prabang is a definite draw; Vang Vieng offers abundant opportunities for caving; Champasak in the southern Laos is home to spectacular Angkor-style Khmer ruins; 4000 islands are a unique island formation of great biodiversity; and the mystery of the Plain of Jars has not been deciphered so far. Time to grab your ticket and fly to Laos right away, is it not?
Fewer Tourists Come to Laos, Why?
News in Asia
While Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and other Southeast Asia countries are constantly reporting growth of tourist arrivals, the number of visitors to Laos is down. Why?