Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in Laos
Laos: Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes was 4.10 million trips in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in Laos, 1996–2019
Source: UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in trips.
Analysis
In 2019, arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in Laos stood at 4.10 million trips.
That represents a change of up 10.9% on the previous year and up 140.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in Laos peaked at 4.41 million trips in 2015 and was at its lowest, 266,000 trips, in 1996.
That places Laos 41st out of 179 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in Laos, year by year
| Year | trips | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 266,000 trips | — |
| 1997 | 334,000 trips | +25.6% |
| 1998 | 360,000 trips | +7.8% |
| 2001 | 594,000 trips | +65.0% |
| 2003 | 547,000 trips | -7.9% |
| 2004 | 841,000 trips | +53.7% |
| 2005 | 1.03 million trips | +22.4% |
| 2006 | 996,000 trips | -3.2% |
| 2007 | 1.45 million trips | +45.1% |
| 2008 | 1.46 million trips | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 1.71 million trips | +17.0% |
| 2010 | 2.06 million trips | +20.7% |
| 2011 | 2.59 million trips | +25.7% |
| 2012 | 3.08 million trips | +18.9% |
| 2013 | 3.45 million trips | +12.0% |
| 2014 | 3.90 million trips | +13.1% |
| 2015 | 4.41 million trips | +13.0% |
| 2016 | 3.77 million trips | -14.4% |
| 2017 | 3.25 million trips | -14.0% |
| 2018 | 3.70 million trips | +13.9% |
| 2019 | 4.10 million trips | +10.9% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's 4.10 million trips is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 369,200 trips, 11.1× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Laos's 4.10 million trips is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 466,300 trips, 8.8× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 320,000 trips | 266,000 trips | 360,000 trips | 3 |
| 2000s | 1.08 million trips | 547,000 trips | 1.71 million trips | 8 |
| 2010s | 3.43 million trips | 2.06 million trips | 4.41 million trips | 10 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More reference data data for Laos
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.6615 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.913 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3021 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.22 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.07 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 12.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.64 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in Laos?
- Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes in Laos was 4.10 million trips in 2019, according to UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 4.41 million trips in 2015.
- What is the lowest arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 266,000 trips in 1996.
- How does Laos rank for arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes?
- Laos ranks 41st out of 179 countries with data for 2019.
- Is arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 140.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from UN Tourism (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Arrivals of tourists from abroad for personal purposes. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of international trips where the main purpose is personal (leisure, visiting friends and relatives, health, etc.) and the visitor stays overnight.