Laos Orders Travel Companies to Attach Hotel Booking Confirmations of Clients

Travel companies bringing tourists into Laos must now attach confirmed hotel booking documents to their entry paperwork, the Tourism Police Department announced.

According to the 12 May notice, tour operators are required to submit a detailed set of documents to the government before tourists arrive, including passenger name lists, passport details, travel itineraries, arrival and departure checkpoints, intended hotels, daily activity schedules, and tour guide information.

The new rule adds one more step: listing a hotel name in the itinerary is no longer enough. Companies must now attach the actual confirmed booking document for every night of the trip, from the day tourists arrive to the day they leave.

Authorities said the change supports a government drive to move tourist accommodation records into a modern digital system, with the aim of improving safety, security, and the overall visitor experience in the country.

The move comes as Laos pushes to grow its tourism sector. The country welcomed 4.58 million international visitors in 2025 and is now targeting between 5 and 6 million arrivals in 2026.

All previously required documents remain mandatory and no existing paperwork needs to be refiled. However, any company that does not yet collect official hotel confirmation documents as part of its standard booking process must update its procedures immediately. Applications submitted without the new attachments risk delays or outright rejection.

source: https://laotiantimes.com/2026/05/13/laos-orders-travel-companies-to-attach-hotel-booking-confirmations-of-clients/