“Rural tourism narrows the gap in income and enjoyment”

10/12/2024 14:14

(PLVN) - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong believes that rural tourism not only promotes socio -economic development and shifts the rural economic structure but also preserves valuable landscapes, ecosystems, the environment, and traditional cultural identities, contributing to narrowing the income and enjoyment gap between rural and urban residents.

On December 10th, at Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and the People's Committee of Quang Nam province, organized the first International Conference on Rural Tourism and the second Annual Meeting of the UN Tourism's Best Villages Network (December 9-11, 2024).

This was UN Tourism's first global event on rural tourism, attracting over 300 delegates from 50 countries worldwide , representing national and local government agencies of UN Tourism member countries and Vietnam, international organizations, the tourism community, and the private sector.

The conference scene. (Photo: Cong Huy).

At the conference, delegates will discuss and formulate policies for sustainable rural tourism development, ensuring equitable distribution of tourism benefits, job creation, protection of natural and cultural resources, social inclusion, and empowerment of local communities and vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and indigenous people.

In his opening remarks at the Conference, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong expressed his pride that Vietnam was the host country and partnered with UN Tourism in organizing the Conference.

According to Deputy Minister Phong, rural areas possess a diverse range of unique cultural and natural heritage with many distinctive values ​​different from urban areas, including beautiful natural landscapes, traditional culture, and vibrant local communities. These are valuable resources that provide unique experiences, contributing to attracting tourists to rural areas and making a positive contribution to socio-economic development.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong delivered the opening speech at the conference. (Photo: Cong Huy).

Vietnam is an agricultural country with over 70% of its population living in rural areas, possessing a wealth of natural resources and cultural identity. Over the years, Vietnam has focused on developing unique and attractive agricultural and rural tourism products and services that can attract both domestic and international tourists, diversifying service offerings, promoting tour connections, and expanding opportunities for rural tourism.

"Tourism has made a significant contribution to changing the 'face' of many rural areas, transforming many rural areas with limited development conditions into 'livable countryside'. Rural tourism not only promotes socio-economic development and shifts the rural economic structure but also preserves valuable landscapes, ecosystems, the environment, and traditional cultural identities, helping to narrow the income and enjoyment gap between rural and urban residents," Deputy Minister Phong emphasized.

International tourists visit and experience Tra Que vegetable village (Hoi An), which has just been recognized as the best tourist village in the world in 2024. (Photo: Cong Huy).

However, Deputy Minister Phong noted that, like many developing countries, Vietnam's rural areas also face numerous challenges. Despite development, most agricultural and rural tourism models in Vietnam's remote areas are small-scale, fragmented, lack professionalism, and face difficulties in transportation infrastructure and other socio-economic conditions, as well as limitations in investment resources, human resources, and market connectivity. This necessitates a strategic vision and the search for effective solutions in implementing rural tourism development policies in Vietnam to ensure the achievement of set goals and adaptation to global issues.

Speaking at the conference, Quang Nam Provincial Party Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet also expressed his honor that the province was chosen to host this important conference.

Quang Nam Provincial Party Secretary Luong Nguyen Minh Triet speaks at the conference. (Photo: Cong Huy).

According to Secretary Triet, agricultural and rural tourism in Quang Nam began to develop in the 2010s and flourished from 2013 onwards. Tourist destinations are distributed across most localities in the province, with 126 sites currently documented. Many of these sites operate very effectively, such as Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Thanh Bay Mau Coconut Forest, Kim Bong Woodworking Village (Hoi An), and the Co Tu Community-Based Tourism Village (Nam Giang)...

“The conference is a valuable opportunity for the province to further promote communication and advertising of the image of “Quang Nam - A Green Tourism Destination”; to foster close and effective cooperation between Vietnamese tourism in general and Quang Nam in particular with UN Tourism and its member countries and organizations, and the UN Tourism Best Villages,” Mr. Triet emphasized.

Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Deputy Secretary-General of UN Tourism, said it was an honor to attend the first United Nations Tourism Conference on Tourism for Rural Development in the enchanting city of Hoi An.

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong and Secretary of Quang Nam Province Luong Nguyen Minh Triet present a commemorative gift to Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Deputy Secretary-General of UN Tourism. (Photo: Cong Huy).

Expressing her deep gratitude to the Government of Vietnam, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the People's Committee of Quang Nam province for organizing this landmark event in such a warm and professional manner, Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic affirmed that this Conference is a significant milestone for UN Tourism. The Conference represents a strong commitment by UN Tourism, under the leadership of Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, to prioritizing rural development as a foundation for global recovery and sustainability.

“The Rural Tourism Development Program and the Best Tourism Village Initiative are testaments to this commitment. We are here not only to discuss and provide direction for rural tourism development, but also to spread the values ​​and potential of tourism as a crucial factor that can transform lives, empower rural communities, and promote socio-economic equity,” shared Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/du-lich-nong-thon-thu-hep-khoang-cach-ve-thu-nhap-va-thu-huong-post534330.html