Laos aims to attract 1.4 million domestic and foreign visitors in 2023, with expected revenues from the tourism sector to exceed $340m, according to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The 16th Elephant Festival, which will feature 75 elephants, will be held in Xayaboury Province next month, and preparations are underway for the 20th Kapok Festival to be held in Bokeo Province. The China-Laos Railway has boosted passenger transportation, travel and tourism in Laos, while the listing of the Plain of Jars as Laos’ third world heritage site warranted a celebration in Haihin Village. Laos welcomed 1.7 million tourists in the first nine months of 2022, an increase of 39% compared to the previous year. Finally, Laos was listed as a “breathtaking” tourism destination by National Geographic for 2023, becoming the only country from ASEAN featured on the annual list.