ラオス時事：2017年ラオス訪問観光客489万人見込
今年ラオスを訪れる観光客の数が489万人（2016年は423万人）に上るであろう、とラオス情報文化観光省より発表がありました。同省より、今年の利益総額の提示はないですが、昨年は、7億2400万アメリカドル程度だったようです。観光客は、周辺地域（タイ、ベトナム、中国、カンボジア）からの観光客と国際観光客（その他外国）の2種類に分けてカウントされています。（２０１７年５月１７日ビエンチャンタイムズより一部仮訳）ラオスの人口が現在約６８０万人。参考まで！Tourist arrivals in Laos this year are projected to hit 4.89 million people, rising from 4.23 million tourists last year, according to the Tourism Development Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.The ministry has not made a prediction on the amount of revenue that might be generated, but last year the tourism sector generated more than US$724 million, down slightly from the year before.Foreign tourists are divided into two categories: regional andinternational. Regional tourists mostly come from Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Cambodia, with these countries recorded as having 3.55 million nationals visit Laos in 2016.Meanwhile international travellers from further afield visiting Laos in 2016 numbered over 680,000 people.In terms of tourism promotion and statistical records, the Tourism Development Department is now collecting data on tourist arrivals for the first three months of 2017, but the summary figures will be released later.It is also forecast that 4.89 million people will visit Laos this year as the country is now working hard to improve infrastructure at tourist sites as well as collaborate with its neighbours, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar, and Cambodia.Times Reporters
