Laos is seeking a bigger slice of the Asian tourism pie currently dominated by Thailand and Vietnam.
The small nation aims to turn its rich cultural heritage into a stronger driver of visitation and economic growth with the launch this month of a new national cultural organisation.
The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s Central Committee has approved the creation of the Lao Cultural Values Promotion Association (LCVPA), a body that will promote the country’s cultural identity while "supporting creative industries, heritage conservation, and tourism development".
Association president Savanhkhone Razmountry said the organisation will help transform Lao culture into both a “creative economy” and a “cultural economy,” creating new opportunities for artists, performers, writers, cultural entrepreneurs, and local businesses.
He noted that cultural attractions already draw between four and five million visitors annually, highlighting the growing role of heritage tourism in the country’s visitor economy, news hub Travel Mole reports.
He noted that cultural attractions already draw between four and five million visitors annually, highlighting the growing role of heritage tourism in the country’s visitor economy, news hub Travel Mole reports.
But Laos also has an image as a party destination - a market that was damaged by recent drink-spiking deaths.
The association plans to work closely with UNESCO and other international partners on heritage conservation projects while seeking technical expertise and funding to preserve cultural assets and expand creative initiatives. It will help develop new cultural products while supporting the country’s broader economic goals.
The launch is part of a wider government strategy to raise Laos’ international cultural profile and strengthen its appeal as a tourism destination.
Earlier this year, Laos nominated its national dish, larb, for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition. Authorities are also preparing a nomination for the traditional Su Khuan (Baci) blessing ceremony.
The association plans to work closely with UNESCO and other international partners on heritage conservation projects while seeking technical expertise and funding to preserve cultural assets and expand creative initiatives. It will help develop new cultural products while supporting the country’s broader economic goals.
The launch is part of a wider government strategy to raise Laos’ international cultural profile and strengthen its appeal as a tourism destination.
Earlier this year, Laos nominated its national dish, larb, for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition. Authorities are also preparing a nomination for the traditional Su Khuan (Baci) blessing ceremony.
The announcement came as Laos enjoyed another year of strong tourism growth.
The country welcomed nearly 2.6 million international visitors during the first half of 2026, a 9.9% increase compared with the same period last year, figures released by the Tourism Development Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism showed.
Thailand remained Laos’ largest inbound market with 833,738 visitors, representing 32.2% of total arrivals. China accounted for 26.1%, followed by Vietnam with 22.6%.
Together, the three neighboring countries generated more than 2 million arrivals, representing around 81% of all international visitors during the first six months of the year.
If current trends continue, Laos is on course to achieve its 2026 target of welcoming between 5 million and 6 million international visitors.
International visitors are expected to contribute more than US$8 billion to the Laos economy, with average stays projected at around 10 days.
Image: Vientiane Night Marker, Tourism Laos
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