Luang​ Prabang​ eyes 1.7 million tourist arrivals during Visit Laos Year 2024​

Luang Prabang​ authorities are expecting more than 1.7 million people to visit the province during Visit Laos Year 2024 and anticipate tourist spending of at least US$900 million.
This year is also the 28th anniversary of UNESCO’s inscription of the old quarter of Luang Prabang city on its list of World Heritage Sites, with the historic area deemed worthy of preservation for its cultural and architectural merit.

The​ President of the Luang Prabang Provincial People’s Council, Mr Vongsavanh Thepphachan, strikes a gong after a press conference held in the provincial capital on Monday to promote tourism.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the Deputy Governor of Luang Prabang province,​ Mr Bounleum Manivong, said provincial authorities had prepared a programme of events for attendance by tourists during Visit Laos Year 2024, including the Lighted Boat Festival and a Cultural and Tourism Week with the participation of the northwest provinces and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. 
Other events include a traditional food festival, a handicraft exhibition, and demonstrations of the province’s special customs. 
Also on the programme are a traditional music contest, a cycle race, the Boat Racing Festival, and the Lat Khang Kong fair.
Various groups will visit neighbouring countries to take part in cultural performances to foster closer relations with other nations, the Deputy Governor said. 
Individual districts in the province will also stage events of interest to tourists.
Phoukhoun district will organise an event to showcase its agriculture and natural beauty. Luang Prabang district will hold the traditional Kin Chiang festival that marks the Hmong ethnic group’s new year, as well as the Khmu ethnic group’s new year celebrations.
Pak Ou district will stage a traditional festival organised by the Lu ethnic group, Chan Nua village in Chomphet district will hold an exhibition of pottery and other handicrafts, Xieng Ngeun district will organise boat races, and Nan district will hold a fireworks festival. 
The Deputy Governor observed that tourism is a rapidly growing segment of the economy in many countries, with Laos also strongly promoting tourism as a source of revenue.  
In recent years, the government has prioritised tourism as a means to strengthen the economy and has sought ways to support the tourism industry and encourage more people to visit and explore Laos’ many fascinating towns, villages and scenic wonders.
Luang Prabang in particular generates many jobs for local people, while farmers can grow and sell more crops to restaurants and hotels to feed visitors. Villagers make and sell handicrafts, small businesses produce goods for export, and more money is trickling down to nearby rural areas to spur the province's development. 
Provincial authorities have made a concerted effort to make Luang Prabang easy to get around and have improved infrastructure, facilities and services.
They are also working to ensure Luang Prabang becomes a strong and sustainable source of revenue and a place that can both compete with and link to the tourism programmes of other countries in the region.
Last year, more than one million tourists visited Luang Prabang, an increase of 491,979 people or 91.49 percent compared to 2022.
A total of 265,102 domestic tourists visited the province in 2023, a decrease of 5.60 percent compared to 2022, while the number of foreign tourists increased by 197.63 percent.
Tourist spending in 2023 was estimated at almost US$560 million, an increase of 155.23 percent compared to 2022.
Luang Prabang is one of the most well-known provinces in Laos and is a top tourist draw because of its riverside location, old temples, quaint streets and alleyways, festivals, and scenic beauty.
The city’s old quarter was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1995 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which deemed that its architecture was culturally significant and worthy of protection by the United Nations.
Popular attractions in and around the provincial capital include the Phou Si stupa, Xieng Thong temple, Sae waterfall, Kuangxi waterfall, and the colourful night market.
Luang Prabang​ province has 111 officially-designated place of natural interest or beauty, 78 place of cultural interest, and 39 with historical associations, with the National Museum, Mount Phou Si and Tad Guangxi waterfall being among the most popular.
Laos has organized Visit Laos  Year  for 3 times, which the 1st time was 1999-2000, 2nd time was 2012, 3rd time was 2018.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 16, 2024)