Luang Prabang welcomed 540,542 tourists in the first eight months of 2018, up 20.25% over the same period in 2017. Of the total, 408,700 were foreign visitors, according to provincial official, Soulathip Norkhounphon.
He credited activities related to Visit Laos Year for the rise, but noted the number could have been higher had the north not faced an extreme rainy season with torrential rains, flooding and landslides, which blocked overland access.
Mr Norkhounphon predicted Luang Prabang could greet 700,000 this year, with high season starting this month.
He pointed to organised activities being held over this period to maintain the growth momentum. These include cycling tours in November and the annual Luang Prabang Film Festival in December.
