A conference on community-based ecotourism has recently been held in Nha Trang by the Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) and Managing Board of “Sustainable Livelihoods in and around Marine Protected Areas” (LMPA) Project.
The organizers expect the conference will start the development of community-based ecotourism in coastal areas and create a firm community-based ecotourism network in Vietnam.
During the recent time, sea tourism is a favourite of tourists in the world. Thus, coastal community-based ecotourism is welcoming opportunities of development. Further, the new sustainable livelihoods which are friendly with environment can reduce coastal residents’ dependence on seafood exploitation. MCD General Manager Nguyen Thu Hue said, “We will expand community-based ecotourism as a tool to protect coastal environment and resources of the country and develop community who not only are benificiaries but become our partners in business”.
Among eleven national parks and marine reserves in Vietnam, Khanh Hoa has two marine reserves, including Nha Trang Bay and Ran Trao Marine Ecosystem Reserve. From 2006 up to now, a project named “Developing community-based ecotourism as a mean of subsistence to conserve natural resources” funded by MCD has developed at Xuan Tu Hamlet, Van Hung Commune, Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province. Though small in Van Phong Bay, the waters have plenty of sea creatures. The residents here are offering many community-based ecotourism products for tourists to stay and visit attractive spots such as Ran Trao Marine Ecosystem Reserve, Giac Hai Abbey, Van Xuan Church and Fish Market. Additionally, tourists can join cooking rural dishes, planting coral, raising fisheries and protecting the sea ecosystem. Especially, there’s a guide book about Ran Trao which professionally presents beauty spots, services and prices for tourists.
Nha Trang Bay Marine Reserve so far hasn’t built community-based ecotourism model. Yet, in the development strategy of 2010-2015, this model will become an activity giving main income to most people on islands in Nha Trang Bay, improving the living standard and reducing negative impacts that can damage the natural resources on the marine reserve.
MCD and LMPA also made a plan to advertise potentials of community-based ecotourism in Nha Trang Bay to attract investment in this new tourist products.