This geographical domination, low population level, and a self-sufficient
economy in the surrounding areas meant that Luang Prabang never developed into an
important economic pole on a regional scale. Furthermore, the absence of a sizeable
foreign trader’s quarter in Luang Prabang indicates the comparative lack of trade.
This surrounding has always restricted its economic progress, and the living standard
of its people remains low. People living in this self-sufficient province have a long
tradition of working hard. To fight against poverty, and mainly to eradicate slash and
burn for agriculture, the provincial government has had to find out another way to
enhance an alternative economy (Lao government, 2005b). Since the government had
faced challenges of agricultural economic difficulty, it began efforts to strengthen
tourist development by encouraging the heritage site to become a place of tourist
attraction.
Despite