Laos has been recognized as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations in 2024, ranking 13th globally.
The Southeast Asian nation recorded a 25.3 percent increase in international arrivals in 2024 compared with the previous year, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
In 2024, Laos welcomed over 4.1 million, nearly one million higher than in 2023. The majority of visitors came from Thailand, Vietnam, and China.
Across the Southeast Asia region, Vietnam recorded the strongest growth, ranking 4th worldwide with a 38.6 percent increase.
Thailand followed with 26.3 percent growth (12th globally), Malaysia rose by 24.2 percent (15th), Cambodia was up 22.87 percent (16th), and Singapore registered 21.22 percent (20th).
As of July this year, Laos has already attracted more than 2.3 million visitors, up from 2.1 million during the same period last year. With this momentum, the country is on track to surpass its 2025 target of 4.3 million tourists.
Globally, South Korea led the UNWTO growth rankings with a 48.82 percent increase in arrivals, followed by Japan (47.09 percent) and Chile (40.42 percent).
Meanwhile, France remains the world’s most visited country with over 102 million arrivals in 2024.
Source: The Laotian Times
