Chinese tourists visit the That Luang Stupa in Vientiane, Laos, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Lao Airlines is launching direct flights between Pakse district of southern Laos' Champasak province and Guangzhou, the capital city of South China's Guangdong province, providing another travel option during Visit Laos Year 2024.

An Airbus A320 will operate this route, with one flight a week departing from Pakse on Sunday and the return flight departing from Guangzhou on Monday, Lao National Radio reported on May 16.

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos has increased significantly. In 2022, some 45,000 Chinese tourists came to Laos, soaring to 641,314 in 2023, and 242,193 Chinese tourists visited Laos in the first three months of 2024.

The Lao government and tourism-related businesses are making every effort to raise the country's tourism industry standards to attract visitors.

Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has set an ambitious plan for 2024 to attract over 2.2 million domestic and about 4 million international visitors, with an expected revenue of about US$ 1.3 billion.