The inevitable connection
Agriculture has always been the main economic sector in rural areas. Agricultural civilization, specifically wet rice civilization, is the foundation for accumulating many values and customs typical of rural Vietnam.
According to experts, rural tourism development needs to prioritize the long-term interests of local communities and provide authentic experiences for tourists. At the same time, it is necessary to respect and preserve the good and unique values of rural areas.
It is understandable that putting the interests of the local community first means promoting the main livelihood of farmers associated with agriculture. Providing authentic experiences for tourists in rural destinations must more or less incorporate the agricultural values of that area.
Mr. Nguyen Song Ha - Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Vietnam said that the approach and application of sustainable development goals in agricultural tourism development focuses on 5 key factors including: Food security and life, biodiversity conservation, traditional knowledge, cultural and social values, and ecosystems.
Ms. Dee Suvimol Thanasarakij - Executive Director of Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office commented that the long-term benefits achieved from the linkage between agriculture and tourism are very rich.
In the short term, it helps to sustain the environment as well as diversify farmers’ livelihoods as farmers have additional income from tourism. In the long term, the tourism economy will inspire and motivate the younger generation to be proud, continue, and be attached to the village where they were born. This is the key factor to maintain the solidarity of the village.
Leverage to improve rural areas of Quang Nam
The connection between agriculture and rural tourism in Quang Nam is focused on, especially in the suburban area of Hoi An and surrounding areas.
About ten years ago, when rural tourism was not yet strongly promoted, Quang Nam had products that harmoniously combined these two fields, such as "A day as a farmer" in Tra Que (Cam Ha commune) or "Party on the field" in Cam Thanh commune, Hoi An city.
In recent years, a number of destinations combining agriculture with local tourism have continued to emerge and attract regular visitors: Thanh Dong organic vegetable garden (Cam Thanh), Cui Lu village (Cam Ha), old brick kiln farm (Duy Vinh, Duy Xuyen), Cam Phu village (Dien Phong, Dien Ban)...
The common point of these destinations is to build products on the foundation of typical agricultural values, then integrate and develop compatible tourism experiences and products, conveying the agricultural values of that destination.
According to Ms. Le Thi Thanh Nga - owner of the brand "Old Brick Kiln farmstay", experiences from integrating agriculture and tourism need to impress visitors with all 5 senses: sight, taste, smell, touch and hearing. At the same time, if there is a good agricultural development strategy, income from agriculture is no less than that from service activities.
The notion that agricultural tourism is a trend of quick profits, easy to do, no strategy, copying ideas from other places… needs to be re-perceived. Only then will tourism models associated with agriculture be sustainable.
When agricultural tourism products are branded, the effects do not stop at the destination. Its positive impact can spread, causing the local population to change some unsustainable farming methods, change sales methods, restore traditional cultural practices, etc., helping to improve the appearance of the countryside and improve farmers' livelihoods.
The reality that needs to be improved is that stakeholders need to upgrade the value chain in agriculture to meet the needs of the Quang Nam tourism market, which has a large proportion of international visitors. This is both an opportunity and a challenge because this type of visitor is more "difficult", but if it can be conquered, the added value from rural tourism will be huge.
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/du-lich-cong-sinh-nong-nghiep-3147171.html
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