Experiences of Some Countries on Community-Based Tourism Development Model

Seafood from lakes and seas, which used to be the livelihood of the local people, is now being shared for many purposes.

Environment and tourism activities have a close and intimate relationship. The environment includes resources that are the source of life for the local community and are now shared with tourists. That is: tourist attractions are gradually formed in locations with tourism potential in the economic - cultural - ecological space. Existing before and existing in parallel with tourism activities and daily production activities of local residents.

One of the basic characteristics of tourism territory is the interweaving nature. Most tourist destinations: rural tourism, eco-tourism, craft village tourism... are also residential areas, or near residential areas with vibrant and strong economic activities. The interweaving nature makes it impossible to distinguish clearly between the tourism space and the economic and social space of the local community, and the interaction between the environment and tourism is also difficult to clearly distinguish. The interweaving nature makes environmental management, economic and social management at tourist destinations complicated and ineffective. Therefore, the development of tourism activities must ensure integrity and consistency with the economic and social development strategy of each locality. Tourism activities cannot be separated but must have a mutual impact with the economic and social activities of the local community. It is necessary to attract local communities into tourism activities, while creating economic momentum to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life of local communities.

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Tourism, like many other economic sectors, aims at sustainable economic - environmental - social development. Tourism development needs to ensure: Economical and efficient use of natural resources.

Protect the culture and welfare of the local community.

Create equity within and between generations.

Thus, one of the targets of community tourism is local communities because they are the owners of the tourism resources where they live and improving the quality of life of local communities is a very important goal.

The role of the local community in tourism activities

Before tourism activities, the indigenous people lived and were attached to the familiar land. They were the owners, their lives were closely tied to that land. At the same time, they created unique indigenous cultures, which created attraction for tourists.

Successive generations have always sought to preserve and develop the natural and cultural values of the places where tourism activities take place. When tourism activities take place, local communities must share a part of the resources with tourists and professional tourism workers, which were their source of livelihood in the past. It is necessary to create for them a real ownership position, not only stopping at the jobs of tour guides, souvenir sellers, transporting guests... but they will have the role of managing tourism resources, participating in the tourism planning process in the land where they live. The incomplete participation of local communities and tourism workers is not the only one, but there are many parties involved: between local people and managers, between people and tourists... Therefore, it is necessary to harmonize the relationship of interests between the parties.

In community-based tourism, engaging local communities is a complex issue and is crucial to the success of a tour. Although there are many different options and solutions in different regions and communities, one important principle is to work with social organizations and communities, and all opinions of local communities must be taken seriously.

1.3. Experience of some countries on community-based ecotourism development model

1.3.1.At Gunnung Halimun National Park - Indonesia:

Gunnung Halimun National Park was established in 1992 with an area of 40,000 hectares, with 237 animal species, many of which are rare. There are people living in the national park. Developing community-based ecotourism here is necessary because this is a national park with pristine land, diverse ecosystems, and developed tourism, but the people do not benefit from that development. The problem of inadequate resource protection has led to conflicts.

conflict between tourists and local people. To balance conservation, development and

To benefit the community from tourism activities, non-governmental organizations have coordinated with the Management Board to build a community-based eco-tourism development model.

Lessons learned:

 Community-based tourism received support from tourism development organizations, including 5 participating organizations: Biology Club, World Wildlife Fund, University of Indonesia and McDonald's restaurant in Indonesia. The organizations have created conditions to help the tourist area and the community with finance and experience, so they have mobilized people to participate in providing services to visitors, while protecting natural resources.

 Establish a Management Board to participate with the community. This Management Board proactively supports the community in planning, managing, and implementing community-based ecotourism development plans to improve the quality of life, protect natural resources, and national cultural identity such as: developing community guesthouses, staff structure for guesthouse services, catering, tour guides, etc.

 Tourism development goes hand in hand with advertising natural resources and human resources to attract tourists.

 Ensure fairness in sharing benefits from tourism development.

 Empower communities, ensuring they are encouraged to participate and take responsibility for tasks related to tourism development and resource protection.

1.3.2. At Ghandruk village in Annapura National Park, Nepal.

Ghandruk village is located in the Annapura Nature Reserve, Nepal. The people are of different ethnicities and religions, and their main source of income is agriculture, livestock farming and exploitation of natural resources available in the reserve. They build their houses with wood harvested from the forest and use wood for fuel. In 1986, with the support of the Annapura Nature Conservation Project, the area developed community-based ecotourism activities.

Lessons learned:

 Receive support from non-governmental organizations in terms of finance, organizational experience and focus on training and guidance for the community right from the beginning of project implementation.

 Focus on training and professional development in tourism and conservation through training sessions, thematic reports and organizing community learning.

 During the organization process, it is necessary to respect the indigenous cultural knowledge values of the community throughout the project implementation process from consulting, discussing, planning and implementing.

 There is a commitment to the community to ensure rights and share benefits from tourism.

 Empower communities in implementing plans.

Chapter 1 Summary

In chapter 1 of the thesis, the author solves two problems: Theoretical basis and practical basis of community-based tourism.

In the theoretical basis section, the author emphasized the concept of community-based ecotourism as the theoretical foundation for the thesis. The author also raised the meaning, principles, and conditions of developing community-based ecotourism. In addition, the author also mentioned the characteristics, purposes, and relationships between local communities and tourism activities.

In the practical basis section, the author has presented lessons learned with two typical examples in Indonesia and Nepal, two countries quite famous for community-based ecotourism activities. These are the bases for the analysis of the potential and current status of community-based ecotourism development in Van Don which will be presented in chapter 2.

CHAPTER 2

COMMUNITY-BASED ECO-TOURISM POTENTIAL IN VAN DON, QUANG NINH

2.1. Overview of Van Don

Van Don district has a natural land area of 59,676 hectares, composed of two archipelagos Cai Bau (also known as Ke Bao) and Van Hai archipelago including 600 large and small islands, of which more than 20 are inhabited. The largest is Cai Bau island, wide

17,212 hectares, including Cai Rong town, the economic, political and social center of the district, and 6 communes: Dong Xa, Ha Long, Van Yen, Doan Ket, Binh Dan, Dai Xuyen. Van Hai archipelago has 5 communes: Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Thang Loi, Ban Sen.

The islands all have mountainous terrain. Mountains are usually only 200 - 300m high, Van Hoa mountain on Cai Bau island is 397m high.

2.2. Natural conditions and natural tourism resources.

2.2.1. Geographical location.

Van Don is a mountainous and island district located in the Southeast of Quang Ninh province, with coordinates from 20040' to 21012' North latitude and from 107019' to 107042' East longitude. The district capital is Cai Rong town on Cai Bau island, nearly 50km from Ha Long city and 7km from Cua Ong. To the north, it borders the sea of Tien Yen district and Dam Ha district; to the west, it borders Cam Pha town, the boundary is Cua Ong sea channel and Voi Lon river; to the east, it borders the sea of Co To district; to the south, it borders Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba sea area of Hai Phong.

2.2.2. Topography, geomorphology.

The limestone karst terrain interspersed with earth islands is a prominent value of the terrain and geology of the Van Don - Bai Tu Long region. The conical karst towers are common in the Bai Tu Long Bay area. The developed limestone island landscape is also an area of international significance for karst landscapes, which is the foundation of geomorphology. Sea erosion with limestone islands is a prominent feature through the erosive periods of many rocky islands forming peaks.

Narrow and pointed. There are cave formation processes that last from the beginning corresponding to the existence of a certain base erosion until today.

There are 3 types of caves in the area: Ancient underground caves, ancient Karst caves, and sea frog caves.

The terrain of Van Don is extremely diverse, with forests, seas, rocky islands, land islands, many lagoons, coastal tidal flats and mangroves... These types of terrain have created Van Don's landscape with special attractive features.

The island system in Van Don area is mostly located in the Northern coastal geological zone, with a Northeast - Southwest tectonic structure, parallel to the mainland coast. The islands are low mountainous terrain, or rocky mountain ranges from 100m - 300m (above sea level), with a peak of 307m on Ba Mun island, 282m on Tra Ngo Nho island, 232m on Sau Nam island, 202m on Ngoc Vung island. The eastern slopes of Ba Mun and Sau Nam islands are steep cliffs close to the sea. This is a potential tourism product for Van Don to exploit and develop ecotourism and adventure tourism.

Along the foot of the islands, there are many lagoons, muddy intertidal flats, or many narrow sandbanks, rocky beaches, some of which are 30m - 70m wide and flooded periodically by the tide. Some large areas have mudflats, sandbanks, rocky beaches, and deep areas, beautiful landscapes, convenient for anchoring ships, with an area of hundreds of hectares such as Cat Quyt lagoon, O Lon lagoon (Ba Mun island), and kilometers long sandbanks in Minh Chau - Cua Doi - Hon Trui peninsula on Quan Lan island. These are pristine beaches, with pure white sand, gentle and calm waves, and extremely attractive clear blue water. The seabed terrain is complex, with many deep creeks and reefs due to erosion, abrasion and accumulation. The two main creek systems are in the Northwest - Southeast and Northeast - Southwest direction. The two creek systems can reach a depth of 5 - 30m. This is the habitat of coral reefs, and also creates channels and harbors on the winding, sheltered coastline that is a potential for ecotourism activities.

Van Don's terrain is very diverse, the sea, mountains and forests in Van Don create a vivid ecological picture. Therefore, Van Don is a destination for tourists who love many types of tourism: adventure, ecology, culture.

2.2.3. Hydrology, oceanography.

About the flow:

Because the river system is not large, and the coastline is winding and divided by the mountain range, due to the influence of the water flowing from the river to the sea. The flow here is mainly tidal, usually the narrow middle flow has a larger speed. The largest river in the district is the Big Elephant River (19km long). Because the river system is not large, it often causes water shortages in the dry season, especially affecting the daily life of people, especially for island communes.

About hydration:

Sea water temperature changes seasonally, the highest in summer, salinity also changes seasonally. Winter temperature is about 18 0 C, lowest temperature in January; summer water temperature is about 28 0 C, average annual temperature fluctuates between 22 - 24 0 C. Such average water temperature is very suitable for swimming.

Due to the dense mountain and island system, the wave regime is different between the outer barrier island area and the inner island area. The outer barrier island area has quite high waves, the inner area is protected by the terrain so storms and tsunamis rarely occur. The waves are not large, quite calm so it is very suitable for tourists' swimming activities.

2.2.4. Climate.

Van Don has many microclimates. The average rainfall is over 200mm/year, high radiation, lots of fog, drizzle and strong storms. Van Don's climate has tropical characteristics, with two distinct seasons: summer and dry season, the average annual temperature is from 22 0 C - 24 0 C. Van Don is located in the tropical monsoon area, from March to August the cool southeast wind blows in from the sea. The average annual rainfall is 2,245 mm, the rainy season is from May to October (in the rainy season it reaches 2,225mm). The average annual humidity is 84%, in the dry season the humidity is 70% and lower. Dangerous weather phenomena such as thunderstorms and strong winds do not occur as often as in the plains and midlands. This is the most favorable condition.

favorable conditions for developing various types of eco-tourism, adventure tourism, resorts, sea bathing, and culture.

2.2.5. Biodiversity.

2.2.5.1. Ecosystem diversity.

The island district is the junction between the mainland and the East Sea, with a continental shelf of 1,620.83 km2 (3 times the area of the land) in a tropical monsoon climate zone. This is not only the basis for rich marine resources but also forms many unique ecosystems.

a. Tropical evergreen broadleaf forest ecosystem on limestone island.

This system is distributed on limestone islands within the territory of the National Park. Typical plant species include: Trai ly, Tue dat cac, Lan chu ve nu hoa vang, Kim giao nu dat cac, Lat hoa, Tat gecko. Animals include golden monkeys, mountain goats, geckos, white-bellied cat. This is also a place with many beautiful landscapes, a great potential for ecotourism.

b. Tropical evergreen broadleaf forest ecosystem on land island.

This ecosystem occupies most of the area of the floating islands, with plant populations belonging to the families of the Wolf family, the Vang family, the Ba Valle family, the Myrtle family and valuable trees of high economic value such as Green Lim, Re Huong, Kim Giao Nui Dat, Tau Mat. The island terrain also creates favorable conditions for the development of small mammals and domestic animals. Some mammal populations have high densities such as Wild Boar, Deer, Porcupine, Don; rare species such as Pangolin, Golden Monkey, Gecko, Python, Fire Leopard, Cobra, King Cobra, Golden Turtle, Three-striped Box Turtle, Soft-shelled Turtle. This is also where the only deer population in the North Vietnam region exists.

c. Mangrove ecosystem.

The flora in this ecosystem is typical of the Northeast region of Vietnam. The average height of the trees is low. The density is over 10,000 trees/ha, with an estimated total area of 100 ha. Mangrove forests are mainly distributed in Cai Quyt lagoon, Lo Ho lagoon, Soi Nho lagoon, O Lon lagoon, Cai De cave valley, Cai Lim ang valley. This ecosystem is a rich source of food for many species of seafood, a habitat and spawning ground for shrimp, crabs, sea worms... and a feeding ground for many species of animals.

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