Laos tourism tops international arrivals

Tourism is on the increase in Laos according to a new report from the Lao National Tourism Administration, which states that over one million visitors arrived into the Southeast Asian country in 2005.

Roads are still the most important means of access into Laos however, the Bangkok Post reports, with the majority of visitors coming in through the country's border check points with Thailand, Vietnam and China.

Laos' Mitraphab, or Friendship bridge on the border with Thailand is the most important immigration point, receiving five times as many arrivals as Wattay International airport in Vientiane, according to the report.

In fact despite the arrival of low cost airlines the report shows a definite shift in the air:land transport ratio from 80:20 in 2002 to 40:60 in 2005.

The country has also seen an increase in the number of hotels and guesthouses from 2004 to 2005 and between 2002 and 2005 foreign exchange revenues rose by $33 million.

Laos is hoping to reach a target of two million arrivals by 2010, which it is hoped will generate $290 million for the local economy.

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