
Luang Prabang steps up tourism improvement
Authorities are working to enhance the quality of tourism in Luang Prabang, with the goal of transforming the province into a high-quality, modern destination that is well-connected regionally and internationally by 2029, Lao National TV reported yesterday.
Efforts will continue to focus on addressing recommendations from the Green Destinations Organization, particularly concerning the criteria, conditions, and indicators required for certification as a sustainable tourism destination.
Provincial authorities have urged all relevant sectors to contribute detailed feedback and data to support Luang Prabang's efforts in achieving the certification. The province is hoping to attract at least 2.3 million visitors this year.
Luang Prabang province is one of the most well-known provinces in Laos and a top tourist destination for its old temples, scenic attractions and rural landscapes. — Xinhua

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Borneo Post
China's upscale ice creams melting hearts of consumers
This photo taken on April 2, 2025 shows a 'blind box' containing a randomly flavored ice cream introduced by Handan Museum in Handan, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo by Wang Haiyun/Xinhua) SHIJIAZHUANG (Aug 19): Once just a simple way to cool off, ice cream is seeing a surge of new varieties to meet the expanding tastes and preferences of Chinese consumers. Pan Yang, 17, recently took pictures of a matcha-flavored ice cream she had bought at a shopping mall in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of north China's Hebei Province. 'I bought this one because it looked so attractive,' she said. 'There were even petals strewn over it.' On the Chinese lifestyle-sharing app known internationally as rednote, many users have posted appealing images of upscale ice creams in various shapes, ranging from blooming flowers to fresh fruits, each of which is the result of delicate craftsmanship. Comments such as 'adorable' and 'too pretty to eat' abound in these posts. Favored by today's consumers, especially young people, such ice creams have become commonplace in souvenir shops at tourist attractions across China. Handan Museum, a well-known tourist site in Hebei, in April introduced creative ice creams that draw inspiration from two precious artifacts housed in the museum. 'Blind boxes' containing randomly flavored ice creams are also on sale to attract customers. The museum's ice creams have been a hit among visitors since their launch, with over 100 sold daily this summer, said Wang Haiyun, who works at the museum. 'We hope people of different ages can savor both delicious tastes and local culture through our ice creams.' Food industry analyst Zhu Danpeng believes the emergence of these visually appealing ice creams reflects a thirst for emotional and spiritual well-being in consumption. 'Young Chinese people attach importance to the social aspects of goods and the emotional value they can offer, which drives the entire industry to innovate its offerings for consumers to enjoy fresh, pleasant experiences,' Zhu said. While seeking visual and emotional delight from these frozen treats, Chinese consumers are also placing increased emphasis on the quality of ice cream as living standards and health consciousness rise. A 23-year-old ice cream fan, surnamed Dong, told Xinhua that a high-quality ice cream should be both delicious and healthy. 'If two ice creams share similar tastes, I will choose the one with a cleaner ingredient list,' she said. Many more consumers are also making this choice. The results of a 2024 survey from iiMedia Research show that nearly half of all respondents would consider 'taste' in their consumption of ice cream, which topped the list of important factors, and those who opted for 'health and low fat' and 'ingredient list' factors made up 33.08 percent and 30.25 percent of respondents. The shift to healthy eating has spurred changes in the industry. Traditional ice cream makers are adjusting their ingredients and unveiling new products in response to evolving needs, while new brands are gaining traction by labeling themselves as producers of handcrafted and freshly made ice creams. Romanlin Ice Cream is one such emerging brand. Founded in 2019, the Hebei-based company has opened more than 500 stores in China, and has also launched business in Malaysia, according to Ma Zhichao, chairman of the company. 'Good-looking products can draw first-time consumers, while good-tasting products will attract them to buy again,' Ma said, adding that to date, the brand boasts more than 30 ice cream flavors attuned to the tastes of Chinese consumers and has rolled out specialized products in different localities. To strike a balance between taste and health, Ma stressed the importance of ingredients and equipment in ice cream production. 'High sugar and fat were once necessary to achieve a creamy and velvety texture, but premium ingredients and advanced equipment can help us deliver a nice mouthfeel with reduced levels,' he explained. But this gives rise to another question: Compared to traditional makers, these new brands tend to be more expensive, so will they deter potential buyers? According to brand-positioning expert Zhan Junhao, value for money has become a key criterion for China's maturing consumers. 'If the innovation and quality justify the price, people are still willing to pay,' he said. Dong was of the same view during her interview. 'I'll pay more for ice cream with top-notch ingredients, but if the quality isn't there? No Way!' she said. – Xinhua China ice-cream local food


The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Indonesia's Mt. Lewotobi erupts, triggering top aviation warning
JAKARTA, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province erupted multiple times on Monday, triggering the highest flight warning, according to the country's Volcanology and Geology Disaster Mitigation Center. During the eruption, ash column rose as high as 8 km into the sky, with thick gray clouds drifting westward and northwestward from the volcano. In response, the authorities raised the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation to the red level, the highest alert, prohibiting aircraft from flying below 6 km in the vicinity. Pilots have also been warned of volcanic ash hazards, which can severely affect aircraft engines and visibility. To protect local communities, tourists, and visitors, authorities have restricted all activities within a 7-km radius of the crater. Communities living on the slopes of the volcano have been advised to remain alert to the risk of lava floods that may occur when heavy rains trigger rivers flowing from the summit. Standing at 1,584 meters, Mount Lewotobi is one of Indonesia's 127 active volcanoes.


The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Jordan to expand low-cost Europe flights from late August to promote tourism
AMMAN, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Jordan will resume and expand low-cost air links with Europe from late August in a push to revive a tourism industry hit by regional tensions, officials said on Sunday. Hungary's Wizz Air will restart its Budapest-Amman route on Aug. 26 with twice-weekly, year-round services, marking the gradual return of budget carriers to the kingdom. Tourism and Antiquities Minister Makram Al-Qaisi said on Sunday that the 2025/26 winter season will feature the largest network of low-cost flights to date, connecting Jordan with 18 European destinations via carriers including Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Eurowings. According to the minister, four new routes to the Red Sea port of Aqaba, namely from Katowice and Warsaw in Poland, Bucharest in Romania, and Sofia in Bulgaria, are expected to reinforce the city's role as a hub for beach and winter tourism. Jordan Tourism Board Director General Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat said winter services will ramp up from Sept. 16 and run through March 2026, with plans to extend into the summer season. The return of budget flights is part of wider promotions to draw visitors to Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Aqaba, and other sites. Tourism revenue rose 11.9 percent in the first half of 2025 to about 3.67 billion U.S. dollars, official data showed.