Awakening and exploiting the potential of agro-forestry ecotourism in Binh Thuan

This is one of the contents of the Famtrip organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Binh Thuan province in coordination with the Binh Thuan Tourism Association, Nong Thon Viet Magazine and Lua Viet Tours in the last days of December 2023.

At the seminar, Mr. Bui The Nhan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the province, said: Binh Thuan is a locality with strengths in marine tourism, especially resort tourism, health care, sea sports... Besides, Binh Thuan also has a great potential to develop agricultural tourism, community ecotourism with the strength of a large land fund combined with the advantages of rivers, canals, forests and mountains. In particular, in Ham Thuan Bac district, there is a Da Mi with immense green nature, outstanding potential to develop ecotourism, resorts with many famous landscapes such as: Ham Thuan lake, mysterious and charming Da Mi lake, Nine-storey waterfall, Suong Mu waterfall...

Binh Thuan tourism has been aiming to form "up the forest down to the sea" tours connecting Phan Thiet city with localities such as Ham Thuan Bac, Tanh Linh, especially the famous trekking (long-distance hiking) route Phan Dung (Binh Thuan) - Ta Nang (Lam Dong) has contributed to diversifying products and types of services for tourists when coming to Binh Thuan. More specifically , eco-tourism is now associated with agriculture, farmers can promote their agricultural products and thereby increase income from agriculture, contributing to promoting sustainable development of the agricultural and rural economy.

Tourists admire the sunset at Ham Thuan Lake

According to Mr. Bui The Nhan, Currently, the potential and strengths of ecotourism and agricultural community tourism have not been exploited properly and effectively. The development of this type still faces many difficulties in defining models and products; problems in procedures for developing community tourism on agricultural land, forest land, etc.

This seminar is an opportunity for units to re-evaluate the potential, opportunities, strengths, weaknesses and challenges of tourism in Binh Thuan province. On that basis, delegates proposed solutions to attract investment in developing unique and attractive tourism types and products suitable to local characteristics. Especially models of eco-tourism, agricultural tourism, nature exploration, adventure sports, trekking, homestay, gardenstay (garden house tourism) ...

unnamed-3(1).jpg — Delegates attending the discussion

At the seminar, delegates also listened to representatives of famous community tourism destinations such as Thai Hai Village (Thai Nguyen); Sin Suoi Ho Village (Lai Chau)... share experiences and ways to do ecotourism and community culture.

Mr. Pham Cong Danh, Ton Duc Thang University shares experience

Mr. Pham Cong Danh, Ton Duc Thang University said: “A very important factor in exploiting ecotourism associated with agricultural production is the human factor. Personnel at tourist facilities, garden houses, etc. must understand the local culture, climate, ecological environment, local products, crops, cuisine, in addition to knowledge, expertise, and ability to operate accommodation facilities. In addition, it is affirmed that advertising and communication factors also play an important role. Units must identify target customers and need to have a long-term strategy according to the seasons of the year, according to themes, and local characteristics to arouse the curiosity of tourists. In addition, units must locate their destinations (number identifiers) on the map so that tourists can easily find them.

At the seminar, Mr. Dato'HJ.Sahariman Bin Hamdan, Chairman of the Homestay Association of Malaysia, said that if we want to develop eco-tourism and agricultural community tourism, we need to connect with the local indigenous community. The most important thing is the development of the local community and economic equality in the community. If we want to attract high-quality visitors, we need to coordinate well with the government. In addition, to develop this type of tourism sustainably, businesses need to pay attention to the protection and regeneration of the natural environment.

unnamed-1(1).jpg — Mr. Dato'HJ.Sahariman Bin Hamdan, Chairman of Homestay Association Malaysia shares his experience in doing community tourism in Malaysia

unnamed-5(1).jpg — Mr. Nguyen Van Khoa - Binh Thuan Province Tourism Association signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnam Community Tourism Consulting-Trade-Service Company Limited.

On this occasion, Binh Thuan Province Tourism Association signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnam Community Tourism Consulting-Trade-Service Company Limited on supporting agricultural community tourism.

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