President urges LuangPrabang to make full use of potential
President Bounnhang Vorachit has instructed Luang Prabang authorities to make full use of the province’s tourism and agriculture potential to drive development and improve local livelihoods. The president gave the advice at his first stop on a visit to the northern provinces of Luang Prabang and Xayaboury, which began on October 20. President Bounnhang advised provincial leaders to expand service businesses to outlying districts where potential remains untapped, to cater to the growing number of visitors to the world heritage site, which is increasingly popular. The service industry in Luang Prabang mainly comprises hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants. He instructed the authorities to do more to encourage local people and businesses to produce more foodstuffs, especially locally sourced items that are characteristic of the region, to cater to the growing needs of tourists. President Bounnhang, who is also Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, also suggested that more creativity was needed in the making of handicrafts that visitors bought as souvenirs.
