The World Bank has outlined a business leveraging facility under its supported Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods project to finance private sector tourism development across five national parks and three protected areas. The facility provides funding for planning and feasibility work, priority investments, product development and marketing. Companies will be able to apply through prospectuses prepared by the Department of Forestry for each protected area. The World Bank estimates that nature tourism could generate about 10% of Laos’ gross domestic product and jobs, while the project aims to create employment opportunities for 75,000 women.
2026-09-16World Bank
World Bank outlines financing facility for nature tourism across eight protected areas in Laos
A World Bank-supported facility will finance private sector tourism development across eight protected areas in Laos. The World Bank estimates that nature tourism could provide about 10% of national output and jobs, while the project targets employment opportunities for 75,000 women.