The Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Ounethouang Khaophanh,  told the Vientiane Times recently that the Lao World Heritage Site has the potentials to gain the certification.

“We expect the certification will be granted at the 2018 Asean Tourism Forum to be hosted by Thailand in January,” he said.

If the effort is a success, this will be the first time the ACTC certification is granted after Asean, the 10-member regional bloc, adopted the standard.

Mr Ounethouang added that other Asean members have voiced their support for the move by Laos to promote Luang Prabang as an ACTC.

The ministry has been working with authorities of Luang Prabang province to develop the well-known tourism site to meet the ACTC criteria.

After an initial assessment by Lao authorities based on the criteria, Mr Ounethouang said, “there is a possibility” to gain the certification.

The ACTA standards are based on seven indicators to evaluate a city, including environmental management, waste management, awareness-building about environmental protection, and cleanliness.

Availability of green spaces, health safety and urban safety, security and tourism infrastructure and facilities are also taken into account.

The Director General of the ministry’s Tourism Marketing Department, Mr Soun Manivong, said seminars had been organised to inform Luang Prabang provincial authorities how they could prepare the city to meet the criteria and two assessments had also been conducted.

“We have looked into not only tourism matters, but environmental protection, waste management, security standards and related facilities,” he said.

Asean members are required to submit their applicant cities to a body in-charge of certifying the ACTC award by October, before the 2018 Asean Tourism Forum scheduled to be held in Thailand’s Chieng Mai province.

If the  ACTC certification is granted, Luang Prabang will be in the regional and global tourism spotlight again after being voted as the world’s top tourism destination for many years, Mr Ounethouang said.

Readers of the influential US travel magazine “Travel + Leisure” voted Luang Prabang among the world’s top 15 cities in the Travel + Leisure World’s Top 15 Cities 2017.

In addition, readers of “Wanderlust”, a leading British travel magazine, voted Luang Prabang as the world’s best city to visit in 2015, and from 2006 to 2008 as well as from 2010 to 2012.

“Visitors to Luang Prabang enjoy diverse attractions, such as well-preserved culture, ancient cultural sites and numerous temples. There are awesome waterfalls and adventure treks in forests and caves that tourists can enjoy,” the Director of Information, Culture and Tourism Department of Luang Prabang province, Mr Soulithip Norkhounphon, said.