A team of UNESCO officials, at the end of an inspection tour of Luang Prabang, Laos' World Heritage site, have urged local authorities to implement stricter measures to maintain its World Heritage status.
The UNESCO officials spent one week visiting the town late last month to examine whether it is living up to it world famous status in the ten years since it was granted.
They have expressed concerns over tourism developments in the city, especially the old town area, where new modern-styled buildings have sprung up, diminishing its old architectural charms.
So far this year, over 300,000 tourists have reportedly visited Luang Prabang, up some 40,000 from the same period in 2006.
Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.