After a quiet period due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry in Laos is showing signs of rapid recovery, especially at the  ancient capital of Luang Prabang  - a World Cultural Heritage - in the northern region of the country.

The ancient capital of Luang Prabang (Photo:Getty Images)

According to Luang Prabang Department of Information, Culture and Tourism, the province welcomed more than 273,000 tourists in the first three months of this year, of whom 240,000 were foreign arrivals, earnings from tourism accounted for more than 157 million USD.

Tourism is one of the six important priorities in Laos' socio-economic development plan. In 2019, Laos welcomed more than 4.79 million international tourists and during post 2020, the industry was one of the three largest sources of foreign currency revenue of Laos besides electricity and mineral exports. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has almost paralysed the industry.

Since reopening the country in May 2022, Laos' tourism industry has gradually recovered and is showing signs of improvement. To ensure the good implementation of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan for the period of 2021-2025, the Lao government is striving to attract at least 1.4 million foreign tourists this year.

Source: VNA