Tourism that "symbiotically" integrates with nature.

Coral reefs in Cu Lao Cham are a valuable resource for promoting tourism while preserving biodiversity. Photo: QT

Untapped potential

According to the Vietnam Tourism Development Index 2023, natural resources are one of the indicator groups in which Quang Nam has a strong advantage compared to the national average, even exceeding it in some aspects. This partly reflects the value of the "treasure trove" of natural ecosystems that Quang Nam possesses.

However, the biodiversity values ​​in Quang Nam generally haven't yet generated significant revenue from tourism. The most popular tour that has been relatively successful for a long time is snorkeling to see coral reefs in Cu Lao Cham.

However, this still cannot be called true biodiversity conservation tourism. The challenge for businesses is that most domestic tourists only want to snorkel and admire the beauty of the coral reefs. Some even just go out to see what it's like, lacking the time or physical fitness to stay underwater for extended periods.

In 2023, Cham Island launched a pilot eco-tourism tour that included several biodiversity conservation activities.

According to the Management Board of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve, expanding the scope of the entire Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve reveals that some ecotourism activities based on biodiversity values ​​are still quite monotonous, lacking integration of biodiversity conservation elements, and still pose potential risks of negative impacts on the unique ecosystem of the biosphere reserve.

Reports on coral and seagrass monitoring in the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, with consultation from the Institute of Oceanography over the years 2008, 2014, 2017, and most recently 2024, show that coral bleaching and extensive damage from crown-of-thorns starfish are occurring.

Bai Say - Song Dam (Tam Ky) boasts high biodiversity but has not yet attracted regular tourists. Photo: QT

In recent times, several areas with great potential for tourism development linked to biodiversity conservation have been receiving investment and support to promote this type of tourism, such as: Cam Kim (Hoi An), Bai Say - Song Dam (Tam Ky), Tam Hai, Tam My Tay (Nui Thanh), the cluster of heritage pine forests (Tay Giang)...

However, becoming an attractive tourist route that regularly receives visitors remains uncertain for several reasons. A common reason is that in areas near tourist centers, the unique characteristics of biodiversity are not yet appealing, while some areas possessing "unique value" with characteristic flora and fauna are isolated and lack many basic conditions for tourism.

Balancing development and conservation

Developing ecotourism in conjunction with biodiversity conservation is identified as a key component in Quang Nam's tourism product development plan until 2030.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in addition to continuing to promote the ecological values ​​of the sea and islands (Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An, Tam Hai - Nui Thanh), the Bay Mau coconut forest (Cam Thanh - Hoi An)... other areas that need to focus on developing this type of tourism include: Song Thanh National Park, Ngoc Linh ginseng region, Saola Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Gray-footed Langur Conservation Area (Nui Thanh)...

The gray-footed langur population in Tam My Tay (Nui Thanh) is thriving.

Mr. Van Ba ​​Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that not many investors have ventured to work with local people to exploit and turn these potential areas into competitive products for tourism.

Over the past period, relevant parties have organized many famtrips and surveys to explore the destination, but there are still many gaps to be filled before turning its potential into reality.

Developing tourism in conjunction with systematic biodiversity conservation, minimizing environmental impact, is no easy task. Areas with high biodiversity are often vulnerable to social interventions and are very difficult to restore to their original state once degraded. Careful assessment and surveying of tourism to create harmony between development and conservation is essential.

Mr. Pham Hong Tien, Director of K'lang Adventure Investment, Trade and Tourism Development Joint Stock Company (a company currently operating trekking tours to explore nature in Tay Giang district), said that many international travel agencies have questioned whether the company's forest-based tourism activities truly protect nature. They also questioned whether the tourism activities throughout the entire process would have any negative impact on the environment.

"Once the unit proves this point, the opportunities for cooperation and contract implementation regarding tours will be quite broad. Furthermore, this activity needs to be linked to improving the livelihoods of local people (most of the unit's workers are from the Co Tu ethnic group) in order to achieve sustainable development," Mr. Pham Hong Tien shared.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/du-lich-cong-sinh-thien-nhien-3143360.html