Luang Prabang sets sights on ASEAN clean city award
Laos is gearing up to submit Luang Prabang province as a contender to receive the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard in early 2018. Deputy Director of the Tourism Development Department under the Information, Culture and Tourism Ministry, Ms Phonemaly Inthaphome, told Vientiane Times on November 16 the world heritage town was holding its third meeting to discuss an application. The meeting took place from November 14 to 16, where officials decided on an action plan, the sectors that would be responsible, funding sources, and the time it would take to process the project. Luang Prabang has more potential than places in other provinces to receive the award. During our last meeting we collected information that would support Luang Prabang’s application. There are 108 criteria that need to be met, Ms Phonemaly said. The first meeting, which took place in May, explained the potential of the province to win the award to local authorities and the private sector. This was done so they could help with the preparation of the application. The team visited landfill sites, water supply systems, handicraft and other commercial centres in the province to assess the town’s suitability.
