Exploiting Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark

There are many difficulties

Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark (GGP) has become an important highlight, promoting tourism development in Dak Nong. With the most unique volcanic cave system in Southeast Asia, this place attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark attracts scientists to research (Photo: Ngo Minh Phuong)

Geological tourism programs such as exploring caves, studying volcanic strata and admiring pristine natural landscapes have created a special attraction. In addition to geological value, the cultural richness of ethnic minority communities contributes significantly to attracting visitors.

In addition, international events and conferences on geological heritage have contributed to enhancing brand recognition for the park and the Dak Nong region. These efforts help the area reach a wide range of visitors, from those who love geology and ecology to those who want to explore indigenous culture.

Despite the great potential of Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, there are still many difficulties and limitations. The province’s transport infrastructure is not yet synchronized, making it difficult for tourists to access heritage sites. Accommodation facilities and support services such as restaurants, entertainment areas, and resort facilities are still limited and do not meet the needs of tourists. In particular, the lack of international standard accommodation is also a major limitation for long-term tours.

Majestic waterfalls attract tourists (Photo: Ngo Minh Phuong)

Geoparks have many unique geological heritages and traditional cultural values ​​of indigenous peoples, but their exploitation and integration into tourism products have not been effectively implemented. The creation of attractive, unique and suitable tourism products for each customer segment is still limited.

Dak Nong is lacking skilled and professional human resources in the tourism sector. In particular, human resources in tourism management, tour guides with knowledge of local culture, and international communication skills are a major challenge, affecting the quality of tourism services.

Although Dak Nong’s tourism promotion activities have made progress, they are still not widespread. The province does not have a strong promotion strategy on digital media platforms, especially for international markets, limiting its ability to attract foreign tourists.

Calling for investment in infrastructure and tourism services still faces many difficulties. In addition, the sustainable development process requires large and long-term capital, while investors are still cautious about risks related to infrastructure and profits...

Coming to Dak Nong UNESCO Geopark, visitors will be able to explore volcanic stratigraphy and admire the pristine natural landscape (Photo: Ngo Minh Phuong)

The above difficulties require Dak Nong to focus on solving infrastructure limitations, improving the quality of human resources, promoting, improving investment policies and protecting the environment. This will create a solid foundation for sustainable tourism development, associated with the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark.

Need a reasonable development strategy

To develop tourism, Dak Nong needs to clearly define the positioning and image that the locality wants to convey to tourists. With its available potential, Dak Nong can be positioned as a wild, majestic and culturally rich natural destination.

At events and seminars that have been held, experts said that the brand needs to show the difference of Dak Nong compared to other tourist destinations in Vietnam.

Dak Nong needs to show its difference from other tourist destinations in Vietnam, especially by linking with the Geopark - an international title that has strong appeal to domestic and foreign tourists. The combination of geological, cultural and ecological factors will create a unique and sustainable brand.

A strong tourism brand cannot lack attractive and diverse tourism products. Dak Nong needs to develop tourism types based on available resources, meeting the needs of many different types of tourists.

Regarding geological tourism, this is the main tourism product associated with the brand of Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark. Visitors can join tours to explore volcanic caves and learn about the geological history of the area. These tours can be combined with scientific education about the formation and transformation of the earth.

Tourists learn and visit traditional occupations of Dak Nong ethnic people

Regarding cultural tourism, traditional festivals, ethnic villages, and handicraft villages are unique cultural tourism resources of Dak Nong. Tourists can participate in community cultural activities, learn about customs and practices, and experience the daily life of local people.

Regarding ecotourism, with its primeval forest ecosystem and majestic natural landscapes, ecotourism is a potential tourism product. Activities such as trekking, camping, exploring wildlife, kayaking on Ta Dung Lake can bring unique experiences to nature-loving tourists.

Regarding resort tourism and health care, in the future, Dak Nong can also develop eco-resorts combined with health care, meeting the needs of tourists looking for relaxation and rest in a peaceful natural space...

To build and develop a sustainable Dak Nong tourism brand associated with the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, the province needs to implement a number of specific solutions to preserve the value of natural and cultural resources, while ensuring long-term tourism economic development.

First of all, preserve and promote the value of natural and geological resources. Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark has special geological and natural values, so the protection and management of resources is a key factor for sustainable tourism development.

In the future, Dak Nong can also develop eco-resorts combined with health care.

Second, Dak Nong needs to have strict environmental control and monitoring measures in tourist areas, especially geologically sensitive spots such as caves, volcanoes, waterfalls and forest ecosystems. The conservation of rare flora and fauna is also a top priority to maintain the ecological balance of the park.

Third, develop a tourism development plan associated with conservation. Planning of tourist routes must be based on the principle of protecting natural resources, avoiding construction and development of infrastructure that harms the environment. Tourist destinations must be developed in a controlled manner, limiting activities that may harm the landscape and geology.

Fourth, encourage scientific research and conservation education. Geoparks can become an "open laboratory" for scientists and students to study geology, geography and environmental conservation. Community education activities and raising awareness of natural resource and environmental protection should also be promoted through related programs and projects.

Fifth, to serve the increasing number of tourists, tourism infrastructure in Dak Nong needs to be improved and developed strategically. Improve the road system connecting tourist destinations in the province and with neighboring areas such as Dak Lak, Binh Phuoc, Lam Dong. At the same time, prioritize the development of green transportation, limit motor vehicles in sensitive areas to minimize environmental pollution. Dak Nong can develop eco-resorts and homestays connected to nature. These projects need to ensure green architecture standards, use environmentally friendly materials and save energy. At the same time, develop resort tourism services combined with environmental protection, raise tourists' awareness of nature conservation...

Sixth, training high-quality human resources in the tourism industry. High-quality human resources play an important role in developing sustainable tourism, improving service quality and promoting the brand. Dak Nong needs to focus on training a team of tour guides with extensive knowledge of geology, history, indigenous culture, and the ability to communicate well with international tourists. These tour guides will be the "bridge" to convey the special values ​​of Dak Nong to tourists.

Tourism managers need to be trained in sustainable tourism management, developing new tourism products and building long-term development plans to optimize resources, effectively exploit tourist destinations, and preserve local cultural and natural values.

In addition to tour guides, service staff at restaurants, hotels and resorts need to be trained in professional service skills, improve service quality to meet the needs of tourists, and create a good impression of Dak Nong.

Seventh, to attract different types of tourists, Dak Nong needs to develop unique tourism products, taking full advantage of the UNESCO Global Geopark and other resources. Dak Nong needs to expand international cooperation and link with other localities to create a chain of inter-regional tourism products.

Developing the Dak Nong tourism brand associated with the UNESCO Global Geopark requires close coordination between conservation, sustainable development and effective promotion. The above solutions will help Dak Nong not only protect its special values ​​but also exploit its tourism potential in a sustainable manner, contributing to promoting the economy and improving the community's life.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/khai-thac-cong-vien-dia-chat-toan-cau-unesco-dak-nong-can-buoc-dot-pha-237924.html