(KPL) On July 25, 2025, the Department of Tourism Promotion under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism hosted a preparatory workshop for the upcoming 2nd Lao-China Tourism Year, chaired by Mr. Phouthone Dalalom, Deputy Director-General of the department. The event was attended by representatives from the Chinese Embassy in the Lao PDR, various departments under the Ministry, and other relevant stakeholders.

The workshop focused on several key topics, including the background, objectives, and anticipated outcomes of the Lao-China Tourism Year initiative. According to Mr. Phouthone, the event is being held to mark the 65th anniversary of Lao-China diplomatic relations and to further promote Lao tourism, with a particular focus on attracting more Chinese visitors.

“To achieve this, we must strengthen our readiness across multiple sectors, including infrastructure, accommodation, restaurants, tourist attractions, transportation, and other services to ensure a satisfactory experience for all visitors,” said Mr. Phouthone. He also noted that 14 major activities have been planned to diversify offerings and appeal to Chinese tourists—one of Laos’s most important target markets.

The first Lao-China Tourism Year, held in 2019, saw a significant boost in tourism, with 1,022,727 Chinese tourists visiting Laos, accounting for 21% of all international arrivals. These visitors primarily came from cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Nanning, Shanghai, and Changsha.

According to 2024 statistics, 1,048,035 Chinese tourists visited Laos, and in the first half of 2025, the country welcomed 602,103 Chinese tourists, indicating a continuing upward trend.

The official launch date of the 2nd Lao-China Tourism Year will be announced in the near future

KPL