Luang Prabang earned nearly LAK 700 billion (USD 32 million) in the first five months of 2025, with tourism playing a significant role, said Khammouane Khambounme, Head of the Provincial Tax Department.
The province now aims to attract more visitors throughout the remainder of the year through improved tax management strategies.
According to Khammouane, most of the revenue came from the tourism sector, including attractions, hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants.
Due to these factors, the province exceeded its revenue target by reaching 60.2 percent of the annual goal, equivalent to LAK 691 billion. This amount includes both tax and asset-related income, which will be reinvested into further developing the tourism sector.
Authorities are now promoting digital tax systems such as TaxRis, an online tax administration platform, by encouraging businesses to register, submit reports online, and adopt the value-added tax (VAT) system. Legal awareness and tax regulations are being actively shared with both public and private sectors to ensure compliance.
To reach the goal of collecting an additional LAK 466 billion (USD 21,49 million) in the remaining months of the year, the province has developed new measures and strategies to expand tax and asset revenue. The focus will be on increasing transparency and accountability.
In 2024, Luang Prabang welcomed over 2,3 million tourists more than double its original target, boosting GDP to LAK 3,989 billion (approximately USD 183 million).
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/DSC_7690-1024x684-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-07-11 10:27:202025-07-08 10:29:02Tourism Fuels Revenue Surge in Luang Prabang in Five Months of 2025
Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity.
Held under the theme “United Journey – Stronger Together,” the forum brought together tourism officials and business leaders from Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to discuss ways to improve cross-border travel.
A key session was the first Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Private Sector Workshop on 25 June, which focused on strengthening regional connectivity through initiatives such as the ARTC.
The ARTC aims to link major cities, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Nong Khai, Vientiane, and Boten, through upgraded rail systems and streamlined immigration processes to make travel across Southeast Asia more efficient.
Phase 1 of the project (2024–2029) will focus on infrastructure readiness, border coordination, and intergovernmental collaboration. It builds on existing networks like the Laos–China Railway and the Laos–Thailand rail link, which have already enhanced mobility in the region.
By expanding these connections, the ARTC is expected to drive tourism growth and support more sustainable, inclusive development across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The forum also introduced the GMS Tourism Strategy 2030, a regional framework designed to encourage high-quality, sustainable tourism and help the region recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strategy prioritizes development in lesser-known destinations and aims to distribute tourism benefits more evenly.
MTF 2025 concluded with the announcement that Myanmar as the next host of the forum in 2026.
Local Experiences and Regional Recovery in Focus
Alongside the main sessions, a tourism exhibition showcased cultural products, local food, and community-based travel experiences, highlighting the region’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
Phouthone Dalalom, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department at Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, emphasized the importance of visitors from neighboring countries and said he hopes the forum will help increase tourist arrivals and strengthen regional ties.
Ing Hang Stupa, a religious monument and national heritage site in Savannakhet Province, is undergoing restoration, with the first phase already completed and the second phase about to begin.
The Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Savannakhet Province is leading the restoration. The team completed the first phase on 16 June, having started on 11. Their survey revealed several cracks and holes in the stupa’s structure.
During this period, repair crews sealed the damaged areas and cleaned off long-accumulated dirt to prevent water seepage during the rainy season.
The second phase will focus on fixing larger cracks.
Restoration teams plan to follow conservation standards by preserving the stupa’s original materials and design. Before moving forward, experts will collect and analyze material samples to guide the next stage of repairs.
Funding for the project comes from the temple’s own budget, public donations, and contributions from the community. The team also plans to add decorative lighting around the temple grounds to enhance its appearance.
To improve the visitor experience, the Provincial Tourism Department has organized dedicated shop spaces and parking areas.
Although a plan for the second phase is already in place, the start and end dates remain uncertain.
The project, which aims to preserve the site’s cultural value and improve tourism infrastructure, will continue in multiple stages.
Dating back to the 16th century and standing about nine meters tall, Ing Hang Stupa remains one of Savannakhet’s most important cultural and spiritual landmarks.
Tourism Fuels Revenue Surge in Luang Prabang in Five Months of 2025
Luang Prabang earned nearly LAK 700 billion (USD 32 million) in the first five months of 2025, with tourism playing a significant role, said Khammouane Khambounme, Head of the Provincial Tax Department.
The province now aims to attract more visitors throughout the remainder of the year through improved tax management strategies.
According to Khammouane, most of the revenue came from the tourism sector, including attractions, hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants.
Due to these factors, the province exceeded its revenue target by reaching 60.2 percent of the annual goal, equivalent to LAK 691 billion. This amount includes both tax and asset-related income, which will be reinvested into further developing the tourism sector.
Authorities are now promoting digital tax systems such as TaxRis, an online tax administration platform, by encouraging businesses to register, submit reports online, and adopt the value-added tax (VAT) system. Legal awareness and tax regulations are being actively shared with both public and private sectors to ensure compliance.
To reach the goal of collecting an additional LAK 466 billion (USD 21,49 million) in the remaining months of the year, the province has developed new measures and strategies to expand tax and asset revenue. The focus will be on increasing transparency and accountability.
In 2024, Luang Prabang welcomed over 2,3 million tourists more than double its original target, boosting GDP to LAK 3,989 billion (approximately USD 183 million).
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/07/01/tourism-fuels-revenue-surge-in-luang-prabang-in-five-months-of-2025/
ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor Takes Center Stage at Mekong Tourism Forum 2025
Laos hosted the Mekong Tourism Forum 2025 in Luang Prabang from 24 to 27 June, spotlighting the proposed ASEAN Rail Tourism Corridor (ARTC) as a key initiative to boost regional travel and connectivity.
Held under the theme “United Journey – Stronger Together,” the forum brought together tourism officials and business leaders from Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to discuss ways to improve cross-border travel.
A key session was the first Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Tourism Private Sector Workshop on 25 June, which focused on strengthening regional connectivity through initiatives such as the ARTC.
The ARTC aims to link major cities, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Nong Khai, Vientiane, and Boten, through upgraded rail systems and streamlined immigration processes to make travel across Southeast Asia more efficient.
Phase 1 of the project (2024–2029) will focus on infrastructure readiness, border coordination, and intergovernmental collaboration. It builds on existing networks like the Laos–China Railway and the Laos–Thailand rail link, which have already enhanced mobility in the region.
By expanding these connections, the ARTC is expected to drive tourism growth and support more sustainable, inclusive development across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The forum also introduced the GMS Tourism Strategy 2030, a regional framework designed to encourage high-quality, sustainable tourism and help the region recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strategy prioritizes development in lesser-known destinations and aims to distribute tourism benefits more evenly.
MTF 2025 concluded with the announcement that Myanmar as the next host of the forum in 2026.
Local Experiences and Regional Recovery in Focus
Alongside the main sessions, a tourism exhibition showcased cultural products, local food, and community-based travel experiences, highlighting the region’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
Phouthone Dalalom, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department at Laos’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, emphasized the importance of visitors from neighboring countries and said he hopes the forum will help increase tourist arrivals and strengthen regional ties.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/27/asean-rail-tourism-corridor-takes-center-stage-at-mekong-tourism-forum-2025/
Heritage Stupa in Savannakhet Restoration Enters Second Phase
Ing Hang Stupa, a religious monument and national heritage site in Savannakhet Province, is undergoing restoration, with the first phase already completed and the second phase about to begin.
The Department of Information, Culture and Tourism of Savannakhet Province is leading the restoration. The team completed the first phase on 16 June, having started on 11. Their survey revealed several cracks and holes in the stupa’s structure.
During this period, repair crews sealed the damaged areas and cleaned off long-accumulated dirt to prevent water seepage during the rainy season.
The second phase will focus on fixing larger cracks.
Restoration teams plan to follow conservation standards by preserving the stupa’s original materials and design. Before moving forward, experts will collect and analyze material samples to guide the next stage of repairs.
Funding for the project comes from the temple’s own budget, public donations, and contributions from the community. The team also plans to add decorative lighting around the temple grounds to enhance its appearance.
To improve the visitor experience, the Provincial Tourism Department has organized dedicated shop spaces and parking areas.
Although a plan for the second phase is already in place, the start and end dates remain uncertain.
The project, which aims to preserve the site’s cultural value and improve tourism infrastructure, will continue in multiple stages.
Dating back to the 16th century and standing about nine meters tall, Ing Hang Stupa remains one of Savannakhet’s most important cultural and spiritual landmarks.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/06/20/heritage-stupa-in-savannakhet-restoration-enters-second-phase/