Laos: Laos Tourism Profile
2015/02/22
Strong increase in arrivals helps to maintain positive market performance
Increase in tourist arrivals into Laos remained strong in 2008, standing out as one of the major drivers of increase in the wider economy. Key factors behind rapid increase in tourist arrivals included the ongoing development of tourism infrastructure, increased cooperation with regional and international tourism bodies and promotional campaigns undertaken by the Laotian government. Strong increase in tourist arrivals helped to maintain the positive development of the travel accommodation, transportation, car rental and travel retail sectors.
Laos to host the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
Laos will host the 25th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the capital city of Vientiane at the end of 2009. During the review period, increased investment in tourism infrastructure helped Laos to fasten the right to host this event, with the country receiving funding of additional than US$120 million from the international community. China contributed US$100 million to fund the building of a new stadium, while Vietnam gave US$19 million towards the construction of the games village. Thailand meanwhile contributed US$2.9 million to help Laos stage the event. A lot of infrastructure projects completed towards the end of the review period, inclunding improvements to road and rail networks and the construction of new hotels, were undertaken specifically to facilitate the holding of the SEA Games in Laos.
Visitors from neighbouring and regional nations dominate arrivals
Due to proximity and the absence of visa requirements, in 2008 the majority of tourist arrivals into Laos continued approaching from neighbouring and regional nations such as Thailand, Vietnam and China. While arrivals from some EU nations like France and the UK did grow steadily, their numbers remained very small compared with those of neighbouring and regional nations. The Laotian government is currently investing in the upgrading of its road transportation network in an effort to encourage additional overland visitors from neighbouring nations.
Travel and tourism operators invest in improving their online services
In order to improve their businesses and attract additional foreign tourists, during the review period most hotels, airlines, car rental agencies and travel retail companies operating in Laos began to invest in internet websites that offer online booking and payment facilities. Laos Airlines introduced an online booking service in late 2007 to offer better convenience to its customers and attract additional international tourists. In 2008, the impact of this trend was most evident in the travel accommodation sector, where the share of total current price sales represented by internet transactions rose by two % points. Improved online booking and payment facilities will continue to make a positive contribution to the development of travel and tourism in Laos over the estimate period, particularly in terms of attracting international visitors.
Travel retailers focus on attracting additional visitors from Western countries
Whilst most visitors who arrive into Laos still come from neighbouring and regional nations like Thailand and Vietnam, the country is as well proving to be an increasingly popular destination for long-haul travellers from further field, particularly from Europe. A lot of of these long-haul travellers are young backpackers, who see Laos as a new and exciting destination that must be included in any tour of Southeast Asia. With this in mind, travel agencies and local tour operators in Laos are increasingly targeting younger travellers from Western nations, particularly France, the UK and the US. This should help to sustain increase in arrivals and maintain the positive development of travel and tourism as a whole over the estimate period.
Lao PDR is the only landlocked ASEAN country inclunding the least visited nations in the world. Being isolated for a lot of years has meant that Lao PDR retains a remarkable serenity and timeless charm. The country is mountainous, making travel difficult with limited internal flight and adventurous travel along Mekong River. The capital, Vientiane, is small (140.000) charming and picturesque, sitting on the banks of the Mekong. It contains some colourful and sacred pagodas, fascinating museums, wide boulevards and attractions like Patuxai, Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe.
The border crossing to Thailand and the Friendship Bridge are at Thanaleng. Budha Park here is a bizarre collection of concrete religious icons. Nam Ngum Dam in the north of the city is a peaceful retreats with restaurants, fishing and small chalets. The former capital Luang Prabang, is one of the majority serene town in ASEAN. Much of the town and its pagodas are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are about 32 historic pagodas here whithin easy walk of each other.
The Dala market sells a lot of local products particularly those of nereby hilltribe people. The Royal Palace Museum contains a lot of Lao treasures. Trips on the Mekong river are popular particularly to the Pak Ou limestone caves thet contain hundreds of Buddhist images. The Plain of Jars near the small town of Phonsavan has intrigued archaeologists for centuries.
The purpose of the huge 2,000-year old stone jars is open to speculation. In the south of the country, Pakse is a point of departure for the Bolaven Plateau and the Khmer ruins at Wat Phu. The area is as well famous for tasty coffee. The Khon Papheng Falls on the Mekong river are a 13- kilometers stretch of rapids and cascades.
There are 68 minority tribes in Lao PDR and they offer tourist insight into a lot of ancient tradition and arts. The Lao people are skilled carvers and a lot of pagodas display this art. Cotton and silk weaving is highly developed, distinct and prozed. A lot of festivals correspond to the Buddhist schedule.
- Boun Pimal: the Lao New Year is celebrated in mid April throughout the country.
- Boun Souang Heua: is the boat race festival is held the day next Ok Phannsa Crowds gather at the Mekong river to watch 45 paddlers, rowing wooden pirogues to the beat of drums in competition for th coveted trophy.
- Boun That Luang: is a three-day religious festival celebrated at full moon in November in Vientiane.
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