Vientiane (VNA) — TravelPulse, one of the world’s leading and most reputable travel publications, has named Laos among the best destinations for travellers in 2026.
The selection was made by a panel of international travel experts and advisors.
Notably, the choice was not based on social media trends or the opinions of so-called “influencers,” but rather on in-depth assessments conducted by professional travel advisors and industry experts with many years of experience in evaluating service quality and emerging trends in global tourism.
Alongside Laos, other destinations honoured on the list include Egypt, Jamaica, Portugal, Mexico, Belize and Panama.
Known for being one of Southeast Asia’s best kept secrets, experts said 2026 will be the year for Laos to start attracting discerning travelers. Traversed by the Mekong River, Laos features mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture and an abundance of Buddhist monasteries.
“With increased regional access and quiet luxury hotels like Rosewood Luang Prabang elevating the standard, travelers can enjoy deeply spiritual and culturally rich experiences without the crowds elsewhere in the region,” said Duncan Greenfield-Turk, founder of Global Travel Moments.
International recognition from the global travel community not only affirms the value of Laos’ outstanding natural wonders and cultural heritage, but also opens up important opportunities for the country to pursue sustainable tourism development. This, in turn, is expected to bring tangible economic benefits to local communities across all social strata./.
