Laos welcomed more than 4.5 million foreign visitors in 2025, surpassing the national target by five percent, with strong growth continuing into 2026. The government is working to improve its tourism accounting and statistics system by providing an important tool for measuring the real economic contribution of tourism in sectors such as transport, trade, accommodation, food services, and employment. A National Tourism Accounts Seminar was held in Khammuan province to discuss the development of a tourism accounting framework and share lessons and experiences from other countries.
Canyoning at the Tad Sanam waterfall in Khammuan province. Laos welcomed more than 4.5 million foreign visitors in 2025, exceeding the national target by five per cent, while strong growth has continued into 2026.
- Vientiane Times/ANN VIENTIANE: The government is working to improve its tourism accounting and statistics system as foreign visitor arrivals continued to rise, reaching about 1.31 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to more than 1.26 million during the same period in 2025. Officials and tourism authorities from across the country gathered in Khammuan province from May 19-21 for the National Tourism Accounts Seminar to discuss the development of a tourism accounting framework in line with international standards set by UN Tourism.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa said tourism remains one of Laos’ key economic sectors and plays an increasingly important role in supporting socio-economic development. Laos welcomed more than 4.5 million foreign visitors in 2025, exceeding the national target by five per cent, while strong growth has continued into 2026.
Darany said a national tourism accounts system would be an important tool for measuring the real economic contribution of tourism in sectors such as transport, trade, accommodation, food services, and employment. Such a system would provide statistical data for both the public and private sectors to support policy planning, investment decisions and tourism management, while also helping to modernise tourism statistics through digital integration with Asean and international partners, she added.
Meeting participants reviewed Laos’ tourism accounting framework and shared lessons and experiences from countries already using tourism account systems to collect and analyse tourism statistics. Field visits and data collection activities were also carried out at key locations in Khammuan province, including the Friendship Bridge international border checkpoint and major tourist attractions, to strengthen practical understanding and ensure standardised implementation nationwide.
Darany encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the meeting to the Asean Tourism Strategy for 2026-2030 and the government’s national socio-economic development plan. I thought it was red watercolour. It was blood: Dad of girl, 9, who was run over by taxi in Singapore in 2024
Laos Tourism Visitor Arrivals Accounting Framework Economic Contribution Statistical Data NATS Seminar International Standards Tourism Accounting System
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Agrobank salur pembiayaan RM17.18 bilion pada 2025Agrobank mencatatkan prestasi kewangan memberangsangkan bagi 2025 apabila penyaluran pembiayaannya meningkat kepada RM17.186 bilion, melonjak 30.67 peratus berbanding tahun sebelumnya.
Read more »
Malaysian Regulators Release Two Codes Under Online Safety Act 2025 Ahead of Enforcement on June 1The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has published the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) under the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA). The CPC governs social media restrictions for under-16s, while the RMC requires online service providers to identify, assess, and reduce risk of harmful content for all users.
Read more »
Kuching City FC Aim to Cause Upset Against JDT FC in Piala Malaysia 2025/2026 FinalKuching City FC is ready to showcase their maximum performance to challenge the defending champion Johor Darul Ta'zim in the Piala Malaysia 2025/2026 final
Read more »
Haj pilgrim numbers surpass 2025 arrivals despite Middle East warPETALING JAYA: Traffic on major roads is building up as travellers get a head start on the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations and school holidays next week.
Read more »