The Values of Developing Homestay Tourism

outside the community about the issues inside the lives of the people where they live. Gary Melone, an Irish IT expert working in Australia, once traveled to Vietnam as a homestay. He commented: “Homestay is the best way for me to have a deep understanding of Vietnam. If I stayed in a hotel, I would not be able to understand the lives of your people…”

- Open up opportunities for knowledge and cultural exchange between tourists and the local communities where they live. Provide an income for local residents

Some of the main goals of homestay tourism include:

- Homestay tourism must contribute to the protection of natural and cultural resources including biodiversity, water resources, forests, cultural identity...

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- Homestay tourism must contribute to local economic development through increased tourism revenue and other benefits for local residents.

1.2.6 The values of developing homestay tourism

1.2.6.1 For tourism

- Create diversity in tourism products and services of a region or country. Besides the common services often seen in tourism such as: accommodation, dining at hotels, restaurants, entertainment at bustling entertainment venues, homestay tourism brings tourists a new experience, creating diversity in tourism products and services. Tourism is no longer simply entertainment, "horseback riding to see flowers" but is truly an experience in life. Tourists eat with the people, sleep with the people, work with the people. Therefore, homestay tourism is increasingly attracting many customers.

- Contribute to attracting tourists. By creating a variety of tourism products and services, tourists have more choices, serving all customer needs. Thereby contributing to attracting tourists.

- Contribute to the conservation and preservation of natural resources and indigenous cultural resources.

1.2.6.2 For local communities

- Bring economic benefits to community members directly involved in providing services to tourists, while other members also benefit from

The contribution of tourism. According to the Forum of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups on Tourism Development Associated with Cultural Identity (December 24, 2009), in the North, up to now, Ban Lac community tourism has developed quite strongly, with an average of 30,000 - 40,000 visitors coming to visit and stay each year. Since the beginning of the year, Mai Chau district's tourism industry has attracted nearly 14,000 visitors, earning nearly 6 billion VND from tourism. Sa Pa district (Lao Cai) is also one of the localities strongly developing homestay tourism with many tourist attractions such as Cat Cat, Sin Chai, Lao Chai, Ta Van villages... In 2008 alone, there were nearly 80,000 visitors to this village. The development of homestay tourism in Sa Pa has contributed to poverty reduction and improving the lives of ethnic minorities in the villages. A typical example is Sin Chai village, in 2000, 68% of households were poor, now only 26%. In other villages, the poverty rate has also decreased quite rapidly thanks to tourism development. The number of people participating in tourism services is quite high. Cat Cat village has 360 Mong people, of which 120 people participate in tourism services such as street vendors, motorbike taxi drivers, brocade sellers, tourist guides, performing arts... Not only in Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, but also in many other localities in the country, this type of tourism closely related to the lives of the people has also developed.

- Homestay tourism provides opportunities for local residents to conserve environmental and cultural resources. Young members of the community will learn and during the training and participation process have the opportunity to work and contribute to development. Local residents will develop their profession, creating more jobs. Local residents will learn professional skills from tourists, travel companies and managers.

- Developing homestay tourism helps local residents benefit from social infrastructure development, changing the face of local society.

1.2.6.3 For travel companies

Developing homestay tourism helps travel companies organize many tours, diversify business types, and bring in high revenue. In Vietnam, although this type of tourism is still quite new, many travel companies have participated in it.

mining as:

In the North:

Sinh Café – sinhcafetourist.com.vn Trekking Travel – trekkingtravel.com.vn

In the South:

Benthanh Tourist - www.benthanhtourist.com.vn

Sai Gon Tourist - www.saigontourist.hochiminhcity.gov.vn LuaVietTour - www.luaviettours.com

Viet Travel - www.vietravel.com.vn

Vinh Sang Farm - www.vinhsang.com.vn

1.2.7 History of the development of homestay tourism in the world and in Vietnam

1.2.7.1 The development process of homestay tourism in the world

In 1970, community-based homestay tourism originated from village tourism and tourists visited villages, learned about customs, wild life, festivals, and some tourists wanted to visit ecosystems and mountains, which is often called ecotourism. Usually, these tours were organized in mountainous areas that are still natural, wild, have diverse ecosystems, dangerous locations, many high mountains and deep ravines but are sparsely populated, living conditions, travel and support are very difficult, especially for visitors. At times like that, tourists need help such as a guide to avoid getting lost, need a place to stay overnight, food... and the locals created conditions to help and provide services. At that time, tourists had the support of the locals - this was the premise for the development of homestay community tourism. In 1980, there appeared impressive slogans such as: “Open your home to the world and the world become your home” or “Become part of my family”.

In fact, developing homestay tourism with the participation of local communities has been a process of formation and development in developed tourism countries.

such as Europe, America, Australia... Then gradually formed and spread not only with one area, one tourist region, it has created a richness, diversity of products, services serving tourists. Since then, homestay tourism staying at local people's homes has strongly developed in many developed countries such as Africa, Australia, Latin America in the 80s - 90s of the last century. Homestay tourism staying at local people's homes began to develop strongly in Asian countries, including ASEAN countries such as: Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand.

1.2.7.2 The development of homestay tourism in Vietnam

In 1995, homestay tourism in Vietnam began to receive a lot of attention since the Southeast Asian Youth Ship program, which docked for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City. In 1997, homestay tourism gradually developed in our country. After more than a decade of development, homestay tourism has gradually affirmed its position in the domestic tourism industry as well as international tourism.

In 2002, Vietnam welcomed groups of tourists from Japan, Thailand and the United States from the Southeast Asian Youth Ship, and the nearly 100-year-old ancient houses on Tran Hung Dao Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City were chosen as the places to welcome tourists. And tourists at that time had very different feelings about the country and people of Vietnam. In 2006, homestay tourism in Vietnam began to become a type of tourism that attracted a large number of tourists and brought quite high economic benefits to the country's tourism industry.

1.2.8 Some attractive homestay tourist destinations in the world

1.2.8.1 Himalayas

Perched high above the Tibetan border, India’s Spiti Valley is dotted with mountainside monasteries. Accommodation here consists of single rooms in two-story mud-and-brick houses. Guests can enjoy a unique menu of breads, chapatis (flatbreads) and momos – spherical flour cakes filled with minced goat or lamb. Tea is served. Guests can join an exciting walking tour, take cooking lessons and go yak hunting. Mahindra Homestays has rooms for rent, a local guide and all meals are provided.

1.2.8.2 South Africa

Hazel's Homestays in Oudtshoorn, on the Garden Route (southern coast) between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, is run by Hazel and 11 other enterprising women. The rooms may not be as flashy as most of the other accommodations along the south coast, but you'll be greeted warmly. Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capital of South Africa, so don't be surprised if a giant bird makes an appearance. Tours can include the Cango Caves and a safari camp with cheetahs and jackals.

1.2.8.3 Thailand

A popular homestay in Thailand is located in Koh Pet, a small village in the rural Isaan region of northeastern Thailand. Hosts Lamai and Jimmy have three rooms to rent, plus a large garden of bananas and mangoes. Guests dine in a shaded outdoor cooking area, with a typical dish being sticky rice with pork, vegetables and chillies. The hosts have been highly praised in recent Responsible Tourism awards. They will introduce you to Isaan life, from shopping at the market to having lunch in a rice field.

1.2.8.4 Grenada Grenada – Caribbean

Grenada is a Caribbean country that offers not only beautiful beaches but also rainforest hiking, rum distilleries and street parties. There are dozens of homestay options to choose from, from apartments in the capital St George's to rooms near Grand Anse Beach.

Visitors will enjoy dishes cooked according to local methods, which may include oil, coconut stews, noodles and pork or pike stuffed with lime and local spices. Especially all dishes, even cocktails contain nutmeg and cinnamon, which is why this place is called “the spice island”.

1.2.8.5 Vietnam

Four seasons are not everything, but for a truly authentic experience of ethnic life, visitors should spend a few days with the Tay people in Ha Giang, a province in the northeast of Vietnam. The guesthouse in Me village (Phuong Do commune, Ha Giang town) has three rooms separated by curtains and thin mats on the floor, but the bathrooms here are European-style and have hot water.

The friendly hosts will invite you to immerse yourself in village life, including walking and cycling through terraced rice fields and tea gardens and perhaps stopping at nearby ethnic villages such as the Red Dao…

1.2.8.6 Guatemala – Antigua City

The UNESCO World Heritage site has cobbled streets, sidewalk cafes and salsa bars, with smouldering volcanoes as a backdrop. Homestay options are plentiful, most of which are run by multi-generational families in colonial-style homes. Guests can take part in activities in the home, from shopping to laundry, and you’ll find frijoles (fried black beans), buđue-los (frys made from dough) and picado de rabano, a spicy turnip salad, on the menu. There’s also a visit to the Mayan ruins of Tikal and Lake Atitlan. A week’s stay is fully catered for, including five days of Spanish lessons (four hours a day).

1.2.8.7 Australia

Not all homestays are in developed destinations. Angorichina Station, a remote sheep farm owned by fourth-generation farmers Ian and Di Farghers, is located in the wild heart of the Flinders Ranges, 300 miles northwest of Adelaide. It’s a striking tin-roofed house, with a large veranda and an oasis of roses and lavender hedges. Guests dine with the Farghers, who make excellent Thai curries and barbecues. Guests can even take a plane with Ian to check on the animals, or round up the herd in a 4WD. Guests can also

tours to nearby indigenous areas are available. Fargher will be your personal guide.

1.2.8.8 South India

Homestays are often included in a tour itinerary across Kerala, which pioneered homestay tourism in India, with its pristine beaches and mysterious waterways. There are plenty of options, such as staying at Olavipe Homestay (near Cochin), a farmhouse run by the Thar-akan family for 13 generations and recently opened to tourists. Visitors can also go on safari in Periyar National Park, and visit turmeric, vanilla and rubber plantations. Activities might include a visit to the Varikatt heritage site, an oriental-style villa in Trivandrum, and two spice estates, Kanjirapally Estate and Vanilla County. Finally, visitors can learn about the art of cooking. The food is exceptional everywhere, with visitors sampling fish and prawns from the creek at the Olavipe facility and eating pineapple curry, dhal (a bean dish) and fluffy rice at the Vanilla County plantation.

CHAPTER 2: CURRENT STATUS OF HOMESTAY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN BINH BA ISLAND

2.1 Overview of Binh Ba Island – Cam Ranh City

2.1.1 Overview of Binh Ba Island

Cam Ranh City has a total natural area of 690km2 , a population of 202,224 people, an average density of 293 people/km2 . The population lives mainly on agriculture, fishery, salt production, forestry, commerce and port services. In particular, the main focus is on the fields of shipbuilding, cement production and processing of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products.

In addition, Cam Ranh City has many favorable conditions to develop many types of tourism such as Cam Ranh International Airport - an important traffic hub of the central region and the fourth largest airport in the country. There is a very convenient road traffic system with intra-provincial and inter-provincial routes with a trans-Vietnam railway passing through the city. And especially, waterways are the strength of Cam Ranh, an important traffic hub for the South Khanh Hoa region and neighboring provinces, helping to support and promote the development of the city's main economic sectors.

Cam Ranh has many famous landscapes such as Hon Rong, Hon Qui, Cam Linh mountain, Cam Ranh lake, Bai Dai and also has many important relics such as the temple of the headless general, Cam Ranh prison, Ba Thin field, historical relic of VIGIE fort (Cam Binh), Ao Ho... Especially, in recent years, along with the strong development of tourism in the province and in Cam Ranh city, Binh Ba island is one of the brightest tourist destinations of the city.

And a very interesting type of tourism that attracts many tourists is the type of tourism staying with the local people and learning about the unique culture of the local people at that tourist destination, or the type of homestay tourism. Binh Ba Island has a lot of potential to develop strongly in tourism, especially homestay tourism.

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