Research on assessing the impact of tourism activities on resources in Cat Ba National Park - Hai Phong

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

FORESTRY UNIVERSITY

TRAN QUOC HONG

RESEARCH ON ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES ON RESOURCES IN NATIONAL PARK

CAT BA – HAI PHONG

MAJORITY: FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CODE: 8850101

MASTER'S THESIS IN FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Scientific supervisor: Dr. Ngo Duy Bach

Hanoi, 2018

COMMITMENT

I hereby declare that: This master's thesis is my own genuine research work, conducted on the basis of theoretical research, practical situation survey research and under the scientific guidance of Dr. Ngo Duy Bach.

The figures, tables and results in the thesis are honest, the contributions are based on practice and experience, the research results in the thesis are honest and have not been published in any other research work.

Once again I would like to confirm the honesty of the above commitment.

Hanoi, October 19, 2018

Student

Tran Quoc Hong

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To complete the thesis, besides my own efforts, I also received enthusiastic guidance and help from teachers, organizations and individuals throughout the process of implementing the topic.

I would like to sincerely thank the teachers and lecturers of the University of Forestry, especially the teachers in the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies - who have imparted to me a lot of useful knowledge, directly taught and helped me in the process of studying and researching.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to my teacher - Dr. Ngo Duy Bach, who spent a lot of time and wholeheartedly guided and instructed me throughout the process of doing this topic.

I would like to sincerely thank the National Park, the Management Board of Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cat Hai district, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Cat Hai district, and the Statistics Office of Cat Hai district for providing necessary data and information, helping me in the process of researching in the area so that I could complete my thesis.

Hereby, I would also like to express my sincere thanks to my family, friends and colleagues who have encouraged and helped me complete my studies, research and thesis.

Hanoi, date month year 2018

Student

Tran Quoc Hong

INDEX

Commitment i

Thanks ii

Table of Contents iii

List of abbreviations and acronyms

List of tables vii

List of Figures viii

PROBLEM STATEMENT 1

Chapter 1. OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH PROBLEM 3

1.1. In the world 3

1.2. In Vietnam 6

1.2.1. Concept and relationship between ecotourism and national parks 6

1.3. Impact of ecotourism on economy, society and natural environment 9

1.3.1. Impact on the natural environment 9

1.3.2. Economic impact 11

1.3.3. Impact of tourism on culture and society 12

1.3.4. Basic principles of DLST 12

1.4. Practical basis for ecotourism management 13

1.4.1. Ecotourism management of countries around the world 13

1.4.2. Experience in managing and exploiting ecotourism activities of national parks in Vietnam 16

1.4.3. Tourism in Cat Ba National Park 19

Chapter 2. OBJECTIVES, OBJECTS, CONTENT AND METHODS

RESEARCH 20

2.1. Research objectives 20

2.2. Research object and scope 20

2.3. Research content 20

2.4. Research methods 21

Chapter 3. NATURAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY AREA 30

3.1. Natural conditions 30

3.1.1. Geographical location 30

3.1.2. Topography and geomorphology 30

3.1.3. Soil geology 31

3.1.4. Climate, hydrology 32

3.1.5. Forest vegetation 34

3.1.6. Fauna 34

3.2. Socio-economic conditions 35

3.2.1. Population and labor situation 35

3.2.2. Land use structure 35

Chapter 4. RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 38

4.1. Current status of tourism activities in Cat Ba National Park 38

4.1.1. Tourism infrastructure and services 38

4.1.2. Number of visitors 40

4.1.3. Positive impacts 43

4.2. Impact of tourism on environmental resources of Cat Ba National Park 51

4.2.1. Negative impacts of tourism activities on the environment…….51

4.2.2. Negative impacts of tourism activities on local economy, health and security 75

4.2.3. Negative impacts of tourism activities on socio-culture...77

4.2.4. Assessment of the overall impact of tourism activities in Cat Ba National Park 85

4.3. Proposed solutions for sustainable ecotourism development in Cat Ba National Park 86

4.3.1. SWOT assessment in tourism development in Cat Ba National Park...86

4.3.2. Proposed solutions for sustainable ecotourism development in Cat Ba National Park 88

CONCLUSION, PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 95

REFERENCES 97

APPENDIX

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Project Management Board

Project Management
DL	Tourism
DLST	Ecotourism
DLBV	Sustainable tourism
KBTTN	Nature Reserve
National Park	National Park

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1: Statistics on area, population and population density of communes and towns 35

Table 3.2: Current land use status of communes and towns in Cat Ba island area 36

Table 4.1: Current status of tourists visiting the forest route in the central area of Park 40

Table 4.2: Current status of tourists visiting coastal route 41

Table 4.3: Current status of tourists to Cat Ba National Park and Cat Ba district… 42

Table 4.2: Revenue from tourism - services in the study area 44

Table 4.5: Local people's opinions on the benefits of tourism activities in Cat Ba National Park 45

Table 4.6: Percentage of households participating in tourism and contribution to total household income 47

Table 4.7: Survey results on tourists' awareness in protecting the landscape of Cat Ba National Park 51

Table 4.8: Tourist demand for non-timber forest products 52

Table 4.7: Current status of wildlife hunting in Cat Ba National Park 53

Table 4.10: Projects to convert the purpose of using protective forests for economic development, infrastructure, and tourism on Cat Ba Island from 2013 to present 56

Table 4.11: Decline in the number of some rare animal species 59

Table 4.12. Chances of seeing wildlife in Cat Ba National Park 61

Table 4.13: Accommodation and restaurants serving tourists 63

Table 4.14: Location of sampling points 63

Table 4.15: Results of determining water quality of Cat Ba tourist area 64

Table 4.16: Comparison of water quality in Cat Ba tourist area with QCVN 10-MT: 2015/BTNMT 66