The Determinants of Inbound Tourism in Laos

This paper specifies static and dynamic panel demand models for tourism in Laos and estimates tourism demand equations using tourist inflow data for the period 1995–2004. The models allow us to estimate the short- and long-run effects of tourism determinants. We find that communication and transportation infrastructure, destination risk, bilateral trade, and distance between Laos and countries of origin are, in the long run, among the main determinants of tourism to Laos. In particular, we find that tourism to Laos is income and price inelastic. This suggests that tourism to Laos is not a luxury good. The results of dynamic models indicate that relative price and infrastructure are more important determinants than income in the short-run adjustment of tourist inflow.