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Ecotourism - 24

Wild animals are similar to nature to attract tourists who like ecotourism. Typical examples are Dam Sen, Suoi Tien in Ho Chi Minh City, the stork garden in Thu Duc, Can Tho, Doi Pagoda in Soc Trang... on weekends or holidays, there are many domestic and foreign tourists coming to have fun.

9.3 DEVELOPMENT SITUATION OF ECOTOURISM IN VIETNAM


9.3.1 Previous years


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Although ecotourism has contributed greatly to the growth of the country's tourism in recent years, the specific figures obtained from this tourism activity have not been specifically recorded.

Due to the rapid development of the tourism industry, countries around the world are focusing on promoting tourism. Vietnam has taken initial steps to diversify types of tourism such as: resort tourism, adventure tourism, cultural and festival tourism, beach tourism, green tourism (countryside tourism), with special attention to investing in developing eco-tourism.

Ecotourism - 24

The State has also gradually upgraded a number of protected areas into national parks to attract foreign investment and domestic and foreign tourists such as Bach Ma Nature Reserve (1991), Tram Chim (1998), Cat Ba (1991), Nam Cat Tien (1992). At the same time, the protected areas have been rearranged to enhance ecotourism spots.

9.3.2 Current status


a. Advantages


The need to return to nature is becoming increasingly urgent. Therefore, ecotourism has become a "smokeless industry" that the State is paying special attention to investing in, both to develop tourism and to protect the ecosystem and develop sustainably. Because Vietnam has a favorable geographical location, blessed by nature with beautiful forests, mountains, rivers and seas, with a diverse and rich ecosystem, characterized by a concentration of rare animals and plants listed in the world red book or world heritages. In addition, there are also cultural tourism resources such as temples, pagodas, historical relics, archaeological sites, festivals, etc.

In 2002, tourism increased by 11 - 12% in the number of international visitors, proving that the economic potential of the tourism industry is very large, including eco-tourism in the protected areas, such as Phu Quoc with more than 25,000 visitors from Thailand...

The State continues to upgrade protected areas into national parks to facilitate the development of ecotourism.

b. Difficulty

- In the KBTTNs, the construction of areas according to each function is not clear, detailed, and specific.

- The construction of infrastructure such as roads, motels... has not fully met the increasing needs of tourists.

- Lack of human resources in terms of expertise, management and even security guards.

- Lack of domestic and foreign investment capital for planning tourism projects and building forest ecosystems in eco-tourism areas.

- There is no law on ecotourism.

- Investment in development for conservation and care of ecotourism areas is not on par with assigned tasks.

- Lack of industry consultation to call for investment in development, scientific research and domestic and foreign scientific organizations to serve the conservation and development of forest ecosystems as well as ecotourism activities.

- Income of tourism service staff, forest protection and care staff is still low.

- People with low education level, poverty and backwardness also face difficulties in protecting forests and developing ecotourism.

- The number of forest rangers is still small compared to the large forest area in current eco-tourism areas.

- Planning and developing tourism without destroying the natural landscape has not yet paid attention to future consequences.


9.4. ORIENTATION FOR ECO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM


a. Developing eco-tourism types


Ecotourism areas in Vietnam have diverse and rich ecosystems with many unique features. Depending on the tourist area, we organize guidance and introduce suitable types of ecotourism such as:

- Visit and study typical and unique ecosystems and rare animals.

- Visit and research on archaeology and culture

- Entertainment, rest, relaxation, meetings

- Adventure travel in the forest.

- Learn about the customs of ethnic minorities

- Learn about the historical feats of the nation

- Short and long term travel

b. Developing tourist routes:


Based on the geographical location of valuable ecotourism areas that are close together or convenient for transportation, we should organize main tourist routes to attract tourists.

c. Developing ecotourism in nature reserves


Selecting KBTN to make ecotourism areas because these places have high concentration of biodiversity. Therefore, to develop ecotourism in these areas, there needs to be specific orientations, suitable to the characteristics of each region and in accordance with general development principles. In particular, it is necessary to upgrade infrastructure, facilities, means of transport, convenient, modern services to create comfort and peace of mind for tourists.

d. Develop travel agents and imported tour operators


To attract a large number of tourists from all over the country and all classes, and foreign tourists, we need to develop travel agencies throughout the country, increase advertising, introduce and develop tour operators for foreign tourists in big cities.

e. Development of communication and transportation networks


- Expand advertising and marketing areas to remote areas, so that all classes at home and abroad can respond to the eco-tourism movement, introduce it in many easy-to-understand, simple but attractive forms in videos, radio, TV, newspapers, internet...

- Increase modern air-conditioned vehicles, high-speed trains and even airplanes with simple, easy and reliable procedures.

f. Improve services for tourism activities


Tourism activities from operators to tour guides, staff and from hotels, restaurants, eateries, large and small businesses... must all have a civilized attitude.

polite, have solid professional expertise to ensure the entire trip is fun, enjoyable, safe, especially comfortable, enjoyable.

g. Community development


Developing forms of ecotourism with the participation of local communities such as Nhi Ho, Suoi Voi, Suoi Tien, Suoi Mo (Hue) is a new trend. The special thing here is that these ecotourism spots are all exploited, managed and used by local communities to better meet the needs of forest management and protection as well as create conditions for local people to have the opportunity to visit and entertain and gradually stabilize the lives of people in the buffer zone, reducing pressure on the forest for illegal logging. A small number of idle residents here should be used to provide services for the tourist area.

9.5 SOME BASIC SOLUTIONS FOR ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM

9.5.1 Policy mechanism solutions


There needs to be synchronous policy mechanisms for exploiting the potential of resources and ecotourism in ecotourism areas.

a. The role of the State in tourism at eco-tourism destinations

- Environmental protection

- Infrastructure (roads, airports, electricity...)

- Security and enforcement of laws

- Impact monitoring. Performance quality assessment

- Distribution of usage rights

- Limit acceptable changes

- Information (interpretation, visitor center)

- Conflict resolution

b. The role of the private sector in tourism at eco-tourism destinations

- Eco-lodge and food

- Means of transport

- Information (manuals, advertisements)

- Mass media (movies, books, video tapes)

- Advertising and promotion

- Consumer goods (souvenirs, equipment)

- Personal services (entertainment)

The State needs to create many favorable conditions for economic sectors to invest in developing eco-tourism in eco-tourism areas. Including:

- Travel agents:

- Tour operators export

- Import tour operators

- Eco-lodge / accommodation for tourists

- Local small traders

9.5.2 Market solutions

- It is necessary to invest adequately in advertising eco-tourism, contributing to creating a market for this type of tourism.

- It is necessary to invest in research on the topic of ecotourism in order to grasp the "demand" factor of tourists, thereby solving many issues related to tourism, establishing sustainable development plans, bringing high efficiency to socio-economic development.

- The State creates conditions for travel companies to visit foreign countries and cooperate with international travel companies to introduce Vietnamese ecotourism to countries around the world to attract more and more foreign tourists.


9.5.3 Planning solutions


Planning is to develop an action plan for the ecotourism industry through funding and setting out priorities.

- Ecotourism planning is carried out by the State or the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, including the zoning of suitable land use, the designation of areas for ecotourism and the drafting of a code of ethics for ecotourism. Areas designated for ecotourism development require management plans and

Community involvement in developing plans is important.

- It is necessary to develop detailed and specific plans for ecotourism development in nature reserves, world cultural heritage sites... as a basis for investment projects, attracting ecotourism investment from abroad. Ensure sustainable development for those ecotourism sites.

- The State and the General Department of Tourism need to participate in ecotourism areas to develop and implement guiding principles to ensure sustainability.


9.5.4 Training solutions


a. Human resource training


Tour guide training: Ecotourism is a relatively new form of tourism in our country. Therefore, it is necessary to cultivate more knowledge and experience for the tour guide team. When coming to any tourist area, tourists want to learn many new things introduced by the tour guide. Therefore, we should train tour guides with professional qualifications, solid skills, and fluent foreign languages. If we can train local people, it is even better.

Training the management team of ecotourism areas: Any activity or agency that wants to achieve good results requires a good management team. Therefore, it is necessary to train the management team of ecotourism areas with professional qualifications so that they can coordinate with the organizers of ecotourism activities effectively without causing damage to the resources of the tourist area.

b. Human resource training resources


To meet the demand for human resources for ecotourism development, the State and tourism organizations cooperate with universities, colleges, and high schools to open more tourism majors to train highly qualified tour guides and managers to meet the development requirements of ecotourism.

- Cooperate with World Tourism Organizations to send tourism experts to study abroad to learn from the experiences of countries around the world.

- Universities, agencies and enterprises need to create opportunities for their students, workers and employees to visit ecotourism areas to learn and explore the wonders of nature to improve their knowledge of environmental ecology. From there, there will be a basis for training future tour guides.

9.5.5 Solutions on infrastructure development


The roads leading to the ecotourism areas are difficult to travel and remote. Therefore, it is necessary to invest in upgrading the roads to be spacious and clean, and the hotels, motels, and restaurants to be fully equipped with modern amenities to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

- The State should prioritize investment in completing the remaining items in the signed decisions on the National Parks, such as Bach Ma and Phu Quoc National Parks...

- Build and modernize infrastructure and have facilities and convenient equipment to serve tourists, create attraction and attract special visitors with local characteristics.


9.5.6 Social solutions

- Environmental education is needed for people to raise their awareness of the importance of ecology and environment. They need to understand that the loss of forest resources is a loss that cannot be measured in money and it also causes many negative impacts on our own living environment, because the role of forests is very important. From there, they will be more aware of protecting forest resources. Educate them that when visiting ecotourism areas, they cannot avoid causing regrettable things.

- There should be instructions and regulations on natural resource protection for tourists in ecotourism areas.

- Encourage everyone, especially local people, to participate in the management of ecotourism areas.

- Strictly implement decisions and laws on tree cutting, deforestation, and hunting of rare animals whenever there is a violation.


9.5.7 Management organization solutions


Tourism is a new industry, so it needs to be well managed to develop this smokeless industry on par with other countries in the region and the world.

Our country has many ecotourism sites, most of which are managed by the Central Government. However, in each ecotourism site there is a management board under the vertical management system to effectively implement the functions of the ecotourism site such as: protection, research, tourism development. Typically, national parks are ecotourism sites that are visited by many tourists for sightseeing, research, entertainment, etc.

9.5.8 Testing solution


Management without inspection is useless. Therefore, inspection is indispensable in any activity, big or small. For the tourism industry to develop in the right direction, management levels from central to local levels must regularly organize inspections to detect errors, avoid waste, cause environmental pollution, etc. Inspect aspects such as:

- Building DLST points according to requirements and goals


- Developing eco-tourism associated with environmental protection, protecting rare animals...


- Developing eco-tourism ensures sustainability in all aspects of society.


Developing ecotourism is a good thing, beneficial to the economy and society, but if it develops in the wrong direction, the harm will be great and humans cannot compensate. Therefore, developing ecotourism in our country requires sustainable development to bring practical benefits to the country.

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