Sustainable tourism development associated with UNESCO Global Geopark

Ban Gioc Waterfall is a heritage site located in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark. Photo: VNA

The Management Board of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark has seized the opportunity, oriented and supported tourism businesses to develop new products in a sustainable, high-quality direction, with unique characteristics associated with protecting heritage values, maintaining the title of UNESCO Global Geopark.

Developing tourism products in a sustainable direction

The Cao Bang - Lang Son Expressway connecting Cao Bang closer to Hanoi and major economic regions in the country is about to be completed and put into operation (2026), at which time geographical and traffic barriers will be removed, creating convenience for tourists to Cao Bang. The province still retains diverse natural landscapes, biodiversity, cultural identity of ethnic minorities, history, geological appearance, etc. This is an opportunity for the province to develop new, high-quality, unique and sustainable tourism products, from which the Geopark Management Board aims to operate the Park according to UNESCO's common criteria.

Mr. Vi Tran Thuy, Director of the Cao Bang Non Nuoc Geopark Management Board, said: In the coming time, people's tourism demand will increase. The demand for high-quality resorts will gradually replace mass tourism and cheap prices. Therefore, the Management Board actively coordinates with all levels, sectors, units and localities to orient, support and train member partners and people living in the conservation area, promote heritage values ​​to develop new tourism products in a sustainable direction.

The Management Board accompanies, supports and guides with many practical activities for 85 member partners and potential members of the Cao Bang Non Nuoc Geopark Network to seize new opportunities for sustainable tourism development. In particular, the unit promotes propaganda about the Park's heritage values ​​associated with the responsibility to protect and preserve heritage and environmental values ​​so that partners can introduce to visitors the heritage values ​​and the responsibility to protect the natural environment. The unit responds to events such as World Environment Day, Earth Day, Earth Hour, International Day of Biodiversity, deploying models for managing, classifying and treating waste at source.

The Management Board guides and advises member partners on exploiting indigenous culture to create new tourism products. This includes designing architectural spaces and services from the culture of the Tay, Nung, Dao, and Lo Lo ethnic groups to create unique, green, clean, and beautiful ethnic minority cultural landscapes; diversifying tourism products from exploiting indigenous culture to improve the quality of services for tourists, optimizing the experience for tourists.

Ms. Mac Thi Khon (Quang Thuan Homestay, Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District) said: With the guidance of the Geopark Management Board, she has exploited the Tay ethnic cultural space to upgrade and design the homestay space with environmentally friendly materials such as stone, wood, bamboo... She also organizes experiential activities for tourists such as weaving handmade straw mattresses, making traditional cakes, singing Then - Tinh lute with local people; introducing the beauty of Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave, Quay Son river for tourists to experience, raise awareness, and join in protecting the natural environment... Many tourists are satisfied and have continued to return to her homestay...

Khau Coc Cha Pass, a pass with majestic beauty of mountains and forests in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark. Photo: VNA

Focus on preserving and promoting indigenous culture

With the active support and companionship of the Geopark Management Board, member partners have more motivation to innovate and create. Many heritage sites of craft villages and community tourism villages in Quang Hoa, Nguyen Binh, Trung Khanh districts... focus on preserving and promoting indigenous culture to improve the quality of tourism products and services from accommodation to cuisine and organizing experiential activities bearing the imprint of indigenous culture. Craft village production facilities and OCOP products are renewed, product quality is improved, packaging design is perfected to enhance the aesthetics and indigenous cultural values, aiming to develop a variety of high-quality gift products to meet the diverse needs of tourists.

To improve service quality, management capacity, and develop sustainable tourism products, the Geopark Management Board organizes meetings for member partners, exchanges, and learning experiences from sustainable tourism development models; promotes community benefits, and connects directly to experience typical products and services of each locality.

Ms. Hoang Thi Bay, an incense maker in Phja Thap hamlet, Phuc Sen commune, Quang Hoa district, informed: Previously, her family made incense by hand, so her income was low. With support from the Geopark Management Board, her family developed new, higher quality products, packaged and labeled them, and were popular with tourists. From making incense, her family learned to open a Nung An homestay, attracting tourists to experience making incense. Developing traditional craft villages associated with tourism services, the family sees more clearly the value of traditional crafts and will teach their children to preserve the craft associated with livelihood development.

Beautiful villages with strong cultural identity are located in the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark. Photo: VNA

The Geopark Management Board has increased the organization of member partners to participate in conferences, training, field surveys and learn from the experiences of Quang Ninh, Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces on preserving traditional craft villages associated with sustainable tourism development and community tourism. The unit proactively connects the partner network with other geoparks.

With the support of the Geopark Management Board, member partners on 5 Geopark routes have boldly and creatively created new tourism products, improved the quality of tourism services and experiences, created unique attractions and characteristics to develop tourism in a sustainable direction; contributed significantly to maintaining the title of UNESCO Global Geopark, opening up opportunities for tourism development.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-gan-voi-cong-vien-dia-chat-toan-cau-unesco-a417994.html