International arrivals to Laos hit record in nine months
Laos attracted more than 2.4 million foreign tourists in the first nine months of this year, marking a record 285% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Laos.
Tourists visit Vat Phou - a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA)ꦕ – Laos attracted more than 2.4million foreign tourists in the first nine months of this year, marking a record 285%increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry ofInformation, Culture, and Tourism of Laos.
Of the foreign visitors to Laos, nearly 1 million are fromThailand, over 600,000 from Vietnam, nearly 480,000 from China, and most of theremaining are from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the US. According to the ministry, the increased influx was attributed toimproved accessibility facilitated by faster travel on highways and Lao-China railway, which has become a popular means of transportation. In addition, the emerging idea of “dispersed tourism” isgaining traction in the region. This fresh approach entails exploring lessfrequented destinations, especially in rural areas, where the allure lies inthe natural beauty. In the southern part of Laos, for instance, the cluster ofFour Thousand Islands captivates travelers with its stunning scenery andcascading waterfalls. The promotion of new tourism destinations is also part of theLao government’s strategy for the upcoming Visit Laos Year 2024 and thecountry’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2024. The Lao government and local businesses have been collaboratingto boost tourism through international exhibitions and ASEAN tourism fairs.With a target of 4.6 million visitors, Laos aims to generate 712 million USD inrevenue in 2024. Previous campaigns, including Visit Laos Year and VisitLaos-China Year, saw significant success, with the Visit Laos Year 2018 witnessing 4.1 million arrivals (up 8.2% from 2017) and the Visit Laos-China Year 2019 welcoming 4.58 million visitors, a 9% increase from 2018./.
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Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Tourists visit Vat Phou - a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos. (Photo: VNA) 
