1.6.3. Experiences drawn for sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau
From the experiences of sustainable tourism development in Malaysia, Phong Nha - Ke Bang, Cat Tien and the unsustainable tourism development in Pattaya, Canary Island, we can draw some practical experiences for sustainable development in tourist areas in general and Ba Ria - Vung Tau tourism in particular as follows:
It is necessary to harmonize the criteria for sustainable tourism development (eco-tourism, green tourism, ensuring economic - social - environmental harmony). Exploitation must go hand in hand with protection and conservation.
It is necessary to plan tourism development reasonably, build strategies and detailed plans, and link relevant organizations and departments to participate in tourism development activities. Actively promote and effectively market based on the unique potential of the tourist area, build a detailed information system to serve tourists to learn about Ba Ria - Vung Tau tourism. Attract and effectively use investment capital, create jobs for local residents, actively improve the environment around the tourist area. Develop and diversify tourism types. Support local communities to participate in tourism activities, raise community awareness in protecting the environment and landscape of the tourist area. Actively develop local industries serving tourism, exploiting and developing traditional industries serving tourism is also a way to do sustainable tourism. Build a channel to respond to visitors' opinions, a community network to participate in monitoring and protecting natural resources and the environment. Synchronously upgrade the transportation system, accommodation facilities, and entertainment areas serving tourism. Have policies to ensure safety for tourists…
CHAPTER 1 SUMMARY
Sustainable tourism is a development trend of tourism that is of interest to all countries in the world. Tourism development must be based on sustainability, which means that it must be ecologically guaranteed in the long term, while being economically effective and socially and ethnically equitable for the local community. Tourism must be sustainable, and the long-term health of a tourist destination or tourist area in terms of environment and society must be placed above immediate profits. For tourism to develop sustainably, it is necessary to comply with the principles of sustainable tourism. These principles recommend which specific activities the tourism industry needs to carry out to develop tourism sustainably, and at the same time recommend which activities should be minimized and which activities should not be carried out in tourism development in terms of sustainability. To evaluate whether tourism activities in a tourist area or tourist destination are sustainable or not, the author evaluates based on the carrying capacity or based on the UNWTO environmental indicators or based on the EFA exploratory factor analysis method with the sustainable tourism indicators. Each method has its own strengths, weaknesses as well as its feasibility and costs. The choice of method to assess the sustainability of tourism development depends on the specific conditions of each tourist destination in each development stage. Typical examples of sustainable and unsustainable tourism development at some tourist destinations and tourist areas in the world (mainly in conservation areas and national parks) are extremely valuable lessons for planning sustainable development strategies for the tourism industry in our country in general and sustainable development of the tourism industry in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province in particular.
Introduce
CHAPTER 2
RESEARCH METHODS AND MODELS
Continuing the theoretical and practical basis of the study presented in chapter 1, chapter 2 will present the research methodology of the topic including the contents of approach, analytical framework, research model and research method.
2.1. Approach
To study the factors affecting sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau and propose solutions for sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the topic uses two approaches: (1) Approaching according to the comprehensive principle, including considering all aspects of sustainable tourism development activities, the development process with the overall factors affecting sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Using theories on sustainable development, sustainable tourism development, tourism economics, economic development, investment, competitiveness, environment, service quality, system theory, territorial theory related to sustainable tourism development to assess the current status of sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau; analyzing factors affecting sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. (2) Microeconomic approach, including analyzing tourist behavior and satisfaction through factor analysis and analyzing regression models to estimate tourist satisfaction with factors affecting sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
Microeconomic approaches allow us to assess and forecast the level of tourist satisfaction affecting sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. A comprehensive approach aims to see the situation of sustainable tourism development in the overall macroeconomic environment, linking theory and practice to find solutions for sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
2.2. Analytical framework
To develop sustainable tourism, it is necessary to identify the basic elements of the tourism development environment in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the constituent factors and which factors positively affect tourist satisfaction. Sustainable tourism development will ensure that tourists are satisfied by the locality. The components in the analysis of the impact of sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau are analyzed as: resources for tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the current status of sustainable tourism development, and assumptions about the environmental factors of local tourism development affecting tourist satisfaction.
2.3. Research method
2.3.1. Research method
2.3.1.1. Document research method
Research documents on theory and practice of sustainable development, sustainable tourism development, theories related to sustainable tourism development. Research documents on resources for sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau such as natural conditions, geographical location, technical infrastructure, human resources, state management, culture - society. Research documents on institutions and policies related to tourism development orientation of the country in general and Ba Ria - Vung Tau province in particular such as: tourism development planning, tourism development strategy; policies to encourage tourism development. Assess the current status of sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau: strengths, weaknesses, challenges and shortcomings.
2.3.1.2. Method of assessing tourist satisfaction
2.3.1.2.1. Exploratory research through secondary data
The exploratory study uses secondary data including data on the current status of sustainable tourism development, sustainable tourism development policies of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, neighboring provinces, the Vietnamese government and countries in the region. These data are used to explore the preliminary status of sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau and neighboring provinces as well as the local perspective on sustainable tourism development. Based on this data, along with theories on local marketing, tourism development environment, local competitiveness, etc., the topic will design and conduct further qualitative research to identify factors that are likely to bring satisfaction to tourists to Ba Ria - Vung Tau.
2.3.1.2.2. Exploratory research using qualitative research methods
Qualitative research aims to gain in-depth understanding of tourists’ attitudes and behaviors. This research step was conducted through discussions with state tourism management agencies of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province and a number of businesses operating in tourism development in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. The purpose of this research is to explore the attitudes and perspectives on sustainable tourism development activities of state tourism management agencies, tourism businesses, and business, along with environmental factors of tourism development in Ba Ria – Vung Tau that create satisfaction for tourists. This research step aims to establish a questionnaire with scales to measure environmental factors of sustainable tourism development for use in subsequent quantitative research.
2.3.1.2.3. Official research using quantitative research methods
The research was conducted by interviewing tourists, investors, or representatives of investors - business operators (investors, members of the board of directors, project management board) who are developing tourism and doing business in Ba Ria - Vung Tau through a questionnaire designed based on the results of previous research steps. This research step aims to measure the factors of sustainable tourism development activities as well as their level of influence on tourists' satisfaction.
The study used exploratory factor analysis tools - used to reduce measurement variables, and also to verify that measurement factors are suitable for the variables to be measured;
Multiple regression analysis – used to identify and predict the impact of factors on sustainable tourism development to ensure tourist satisfaction.
2.3.2. Sampling and data collection methods
The study uses a standardized sampling method with control attributes being factors affecting sustainable tourism development. The research subjects are tourists. To evaluate sustainable tourism development activities in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the study developed and used a questionnaire with 101 observed variables, including 98 variables defining factors affecting sustainable tourism development and 3 observed variables used to assess the level of satisfaction of tourists with factors affecting sustainable tourism development in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. During the survey, because currently tourists to Ba Ria - Vung Tau are not concentrated in one place. Therefore, the study chose 4 places for survey: 1) Vung Tau; 2) Long Hai; 3) Con Dao; 4) Binh Chau.
Secondary data sources are collected through books, statistical yearbooks, specialized magazines, internal information sources in Ba Ria - Vung Tau and the Internet. Primary data sources are collected by conducting direct surveys through interview questionnaires.
2.3.3. Data analysis method
The topic uses data analysis methods such as descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis to analyze the data. Descriptive analysis of the attributes of the survey group such as the interviewees; attributes of the interviewed tourists such as: ownership form, tourism industry. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to collect estimated parameters and readjust the research model through examining the relationship between the component groups of the factor and can redefine the variables defining the factor. Validation and reliability. Regression analysis: using simple and multiple linear regression models with original and transformed data to find the best model to predict the impact of investment environment factors on tourist satisfaction. In regression analysis, use tests of model suitability, correlation, multicollinearity with acceptable significance levels depending on the model.
2.4. Assessment of tourism sustainability
Currently, there are three methods used to assess tourism sustainability: Based on determining carrying capacity, based on environmental indicators and based on sustainable tourism development criteria.
2.4.1. Assessing the sustainability of tourism activities based on carrying capacity
The concept of carrying capacity (capacity) of a tourist destination originates from agriculture, in the raising of cattle on grasslands. The herders need to know clearly how many cattle the grasslands can support at any given season. Then the carrying capacity is applied to the population field to determine the number of people that a land can receive (with a decent life at a certain level of technology). The application of carrying capacity to the social field becomes difficult because of the multi-value nature of social and human systems. For tourism, there are many ways to understand
different in "carrying capacity". According to D'Amore, 1983 [40], "carrying capacity is the point in the tourism growth process where local people begin to perceive an imbalance due to unacceptable levels of social impact from tourism activities". Shelby and Heberlein, 1987 [40] said that "carrying capacity is the level of use beyond which environmental standards are violated"...etc.
The World Tourism Organization UNWTO defines "carrying capacity as the maximum number of people visiting a tourist destination at the same time without causing damage to the living environment, economic environment and socio-cultural environment; and at the same time not reducing the satisfaction of visitors". Thus, carrying capacity is the maximum number of people that a tourist destination can accept, without causing degradation of the natural ecosystem, without causing conflicts between local communities and tourists and without causing economic degradation of the indigenous community. The concept of tourism carrying capacity needs to be understood from the following aspects: physical (infrastructure), ecological, psychological, social and management.
- In terms of infrastructure: the maximum number of tourists that a tourist destination can accommodate. This is related to the minimum standards of space and living needs (water, electricity, bedrooms, entertainment...) of each tourist.
- From an ecological perspective: the number of tourists that the resources at a tourist destination can accommodate without causing damage (excessive degradation) to the natural environment, without affecting the living habits of wild animals and without disrupting the ecosystem.
- From a psychological perspective: the number of tourists that a tourist destination can accommodate under increased psychological pressure. In other words, the level of satisfaction of tourists does not fall below normal due to overcrowding.
- From a management perspective: the maximum number of visitors that a tourist destination can serve. If this limit is exceeded, the management capacity (number and qualifications of staff, management facilities...) of the tourist destination cannot meet the needs of visitors.
2.4.2. Assess the sustainability of tourism activities based on the environmental indicators of the World Tourism Organization UNWTO
To assess the development level of a specific tourist destination, we often use single indicators and sets of single indicators. The World Tourism Organization (WTO) has developed two sets of single indicators: general indicators for sustainable tourism and specific indicators for tourist destinations. In addition, according to the PRA (Participatory Rapid Appraisal) method, a system of indicators to rapidly assess the sustainability of a tourist destination has also been developed.
Table 2.1: General indicators for sustainable tourism.
STT
Target | How to determine | |
1 | Protect tourist attractions | IUCN standard tourist site protection type |
2 | Pressure | Number of tourists visiting tourist attractions (by year, month) peak) |
3 | Intensity of use | Usage intensity – peak period (people/ha) |
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4 | Social Impact | Tourist/Local Population Ratio (peak period) |
5 | Level of control | Existing environmental assessment procedures or controls for the development of tourist attractions and usage density |
6 | Waste Management | Percentage of sewer lines at tourist sites treated (sub-indices may be structural limits of infrastructure capacity) of tourist attractions, e.g. water supply, landfill) |
7 | Planning process | There are plans to serve the tourist destination (including the tourism factor) |
8 | Critical ecosystems | Number of rare species under threat |
9 | Tourist satisfaction guest | Tourist satisfaction (based on votes) poll) |
10 | Local satisfaction direction | Local satisfaction (based on surveys) poll) |
Source: Manning EW, 1996 [37]
In addition to the general indicators for the tourism industry, some specific indicators of tourist destinations have also been proposed by UNWTO, to assess the sustainability of a specific tourist destination. Table 2.2 shows us these specific indicators.
Table 2.2: Specific indicators of tourist destinations
STT
Ecosystem | Specific indicators | |
1 | Coastal areas | Degradation (% beach degraded, eroded) Usage intensity (number of people/1m beach) Coastal fauna/marine fauna (number of major species seen) Water quality (trash, feces and heavy metal content) |
2 | Mountainous regions | Erosion (% of surface area eroded) Biodiversity (number of key species). Access to key sites (hours of waiting) |
3 | Cultural sites (traditional communities) | Potential social pressure (ratio of average income from tourism/local population) Seasonality (% of stores open year-round/total stores) Conflict (number of reported incidents between locals and tourists) |
guest) | ||
4 | Small island | Leakage (% of tourism revenue lost) Ownership (% of foreign or non-local ownership of tourism facilities) Water availability (cost, availability) Measures of use intensity (at the island-wide scale as well as for impacted sites) |
Source: Manning EW, 1996 [37]
The UNWTO indicators have been widely used to assess the sustainability of a tourist destination and tourism activities. However, many indicators are not authentic, difficult to assess and very difficult to verify accurately such as the level of satisfaction of visitors based on the survey, the type of tourist protection, the ratio of animals on the coast/underwater animals, soil erosion, the amount of money leakage... Therefore, the application of these indicators is not very widespread.
In addition to the three subsystems: natural ecosystem, social-humanity, and economic, the comprehensive environmental system at a tourist destination also has a fourth subsystem, which is the needs of tourists. The appearance of the fourth subsystem causes the traditional system model to change, creating strong fluctuations in structure, relationships, etc. in the system. The sustainability of the new system is only achieved when a new balance is established without transforming into a degraded system. The new relationship - Sustainable Tourism will be established if the following requirements are satisfied:
- Tourist needs: highly met
- Natural ecosystem: not degraded
- Economic subsystem: growth for both businesses and local communities.
- Social and humanistic subsystem: preserving the traditional cultural identity of the local community on the basis of enhancing civilization by expanding exchanges with tourists and with different cultures.
Table 2.3: Environmental indicator system used to quickly assess the sustainability of tourist destinations
STT
Target | The determination | |
1 | Set of indicators on meeting tourist needs | - Percentage of returning customers/total number of customers - Average number of days of stay/tourist - Percentage of health risks (illness, accidents) due to tourism/total number of visitors |
2 | Criteria for evaluation impact of tourism | - % of waste not collected and treated - Electricity consumption/tourist/day (calculated by season) |