The development of tourism has contributed pushing up economic growth in provinces in the country. However, it is the matter of how to protect environment and natural landscape; because it is the environmental pollution that takes tourist away.
Pell-mell waste, pell-mell concern
Right at the floating Cái Răng market (Cần Thơ city) which is one of the most famous floating markets of the Cuu Long river delta is suffering from waste spreading over river surface and bank. Rubbish included various kinds such as nylon, can…even death animal are floating over the water. Along the river bank, near floating market, dumping grounds are located that makes the beauty of floating market less attractive.
Along the Tiền river, Mỹ Tho city, Tiền Giang province, wastes such as skin of rambutan, banana, jackfruit, coconut, and can, nylon bag are all floating in the water. Beside waste drifting other places and waste discharging by tourist in to Tien river, it is also accounted for the consideration amount of waste from fish-farming or people living along river. Although local authority had launch campaign and propagation, but the direct discharge of waste into river in Tien Giang is still kept on going. Houses located near river and canals, so wastes are discharged freely into river, because: “once in the river, waste will drift away to other places, may be the sea. It is not worth to think about”. Finally, waste is not disappeared but stuck into post or boarding places or tourist spots that caused unaesthetic situation.
Need to have resolute and strict measuresMr. Doan Van Phuong – Vice Director of Trade and Tourism of Tien Giang province said: “Currently, in the fishing season, as boats and ships landfall, they clean the ship, discharging oil and rubbish into river, polluting environment. But the inspection and sanction are very difficult because they do it at night time”.
Mr. Tran The Dung, Director of Young Generation Tourism Company said: “environment pollution in tourism destinations or the arrangement of toilets in tourist spots are given inappropriate consideration. Fact shows that such issues, in turn, affect greatly to the attraction of tourist, especially international tourists”.
Mr. Truong Hoang Phuong, representative of Sai Gon Tourist Company had warned that: “Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), one of the famous tourist spots in the country is in the alarming level of environmental pollution. If such issue can not be solved timely, resolutely and urgently, then tourism potential of this pearl island will be greatly affected”.
Having clearly aware of great impact of wastes to the environment, at tourist spots of Tien Giang province, destination clubs have been established recently to deal with policy, law, business situation, safety tourism and environmental protection. Tourist guide teams are trained with protection of environmental hygiene and propagating and guiding tourist on hygiene issues. Rubbish bins are placed in all tourist sports. However, the environmental protection issue in tourist spots of Tien Giang as well as in other provinces is not still put in order.
There is a fact that, both localities and tourism sector seems to pay attention to the investment of infrastructure serving for tourist. Environmental protection issue is not paid appropriate attention.
In the coming times, localities and tourism sector should have close coordination in the environmental protection issue, especially in eco-tourism field. It is the time that environmental protection associating with sustainable development of tourism shall be paid proper attention for more comprehensive investment. Besides, it should be strengthened the education campaign for people, including those who work in the tourism sector, about the meaning and importance of environment to the life of human beings, closely attaching with sustainable and effective development of tourism, at the same time, pollution-related activities by individuals and organization shall be strictly sanctioned.