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On Oct, 20th a seminar on "Responsible Tourism and Responsible
Tourism Certification in Viet Nam" was held by the Viet Nam National
Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Ha Noi.
The event attracted the attendance of delegates from VNAT, WWF, ESRT project,
Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), some destinations and travel
businesses.
In the opening speech, Deputy Director General of VNAT Nguyen Manh Cuong said
Viet Nam tourism has been remarkably developing as one of important economic
sectors contributing to social and economic development of the nation in recent
years. However, the goal of sustainable tourism development in the stage of
2001-2010 was not fully achieved because of the lack of appropriate care about
environmental protection, natural preservation, native culture and public
benefit. Therefore, one of the key targets determined in the Draft of "Vietnam
Tourism Development Strategy until 2020, and vision for 2030" is the promotion
of responsible tourism prioritizing eco-tourism and community tourism, he
emphasized.
Remarked as one of tourism sector's initial efforts aiming to develop
responsible tourism in Viet Nam, the seminar looked forwards to receiving
initiatives from participants as well as supports from international
organizations, Cuong hoped.
Participants agreed that responsible tourism is now considered a significant
tendency of global tourism development, and is becoming more practical and
obvious in the situation that Viet Nam tourism is concentrating in quality and
sustainable development. Responsible tourism dedicated to community-based and
ecological tourism should be integrated into national tourism development
strategy. Special attention should be placed on raising social awareness and
enhancing training activities.
At the workshop, the participants suggested Viet Nam should develop a clear,
transparent, suitable and responsible tourism certification system to ensure
it's success. The certification should be considered as a standard tool to
improve the quality of community-based and ecological tourist products.
Deputy Director of Institute for Tourism Development Research Pham Trung Luong
said Responsible Tourism Certification will be an important initiative to carry
out strategic goal on sustainable development in Viet Nam as well as to
contribute to improvement of Viet Nam's tourism competitiveness capacity in the
region and the world.
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Source:
Translated by Thanh Pham |
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