Luang Prabang

After its nomination as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site 1995, Luang Prabang has developed to one of the most popular travel destinations in Laos for both local and international tourists. However, considerable growth of the tourism sector on the one hand also involved negative consequences and challenges on the other hand. The ecological footprint of this travel destination has substantially deteriorated. Among other things, the traffic jams and environmental pollution increased, which could cause irreversible damage to the unique, natural and cultural resources of the country in the worst case scenario.

Against this background, the aim of “Handle with Care” was to develop a sustainable tourism strategy which considers and integrates the local environment, culture and economy. This meant in particular a consideration of distinctive characteristics, the local population and the existing tourism offer and to support the shift to more sustainable practices. Measures were taken in the cultural sector to protect cultural education as part of a touristic visit, as well as raising awareness among the local population regarding their own culture. At the intersection of culture and business, the UNESCO World Heritage Office was brought together with international investors to discuss the cultural effects of foreign investments in the city, and to jointly decide on countermeasures against any negative effects.

For over three years, the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) has worked together with sequa GmbH and two partners from Laos, the Lao Association of Travel Agents (LATA) and the Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association (LHRA), to establish Luang Prabang as a sustainable travel destination in the long term.