New livelihoods from tourism development

Along with the development of tourism, many community tourism areas and spots in Sa Pa have created opportunities for local people to directly participate in activities serving tourists.

Along with the development of tourism , many community tourism areas and spots in Sa Pa have created opportunities for local people to directly participate in activities serving tourists. Thanks to that, people have a stable income, while preserving and developing traditional cultural values. This approach not only brings authentic experiences to tourists, but also helps people become real subjects in preserving and developing cultural heritage right in their homeland.

For nearly a year now, Ms. Ly Tho So has been attached to Ban May, part of Sun World Fansipan Legend Tourist Area. Here, she is responsible for explaining and introducing to tourists the life of the Ha Nhi people, which is recreated and displayed at Ban May. Every day, she gets up early to clean and rearrange the rammed earth house, preparing to welcome visitors. In addition to taking care of the house, Ms. So also demonstrates traditional handicrafts and introduces to visitors the architecture and customs of the Ha Nhi people. The working environment, which regularly interacts with domestic and foreign tourists, not only helps her become more confident but also creates a stable income, while providing an opportunity to introduce her ethnic culture to a large number of visitors.

In Ban May, dozens of households, artisans and local workers have found stable jobs thanks to community tourism. Among them, Ms. Vu Thi Sin, a Giay ethnic in Ta Van commune, has been attached to Ban May for the past two years, taking on the role of demonstrating the traditional incense making profession. In addition to a fixed income, she also has income from selling products she made herself. "One is fun, two is the job is also easy and the income is stable. If I sell the products, I enjoy it myself, and each month I have enough to cover my living expenses," Ms. Sin said.

Currently, Ban May has nearly 30 artisans, actors and 7 business households of many ethnic groups participating in regular activities. Every day, they introduce to tourists unique cultural forms: from handicrafts, cuisine , architecture, costumes to traditional folk songs and dances. During peak tourist seasons, hundreds of artisans and village art troupes are mobilized, contributing to creating a colorful cultural picture, while increasing income for the people.

According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Vu - Deputy General Manager of Sun World Fansipan Legend, the company's viewpoint is to put people and local identity at the center of tourism development. At Ban May, the company invites artisans and local people to directly participate in recreating cultural spaces, while supporting infrastructure, equipment, arranging accommodation, and paying stable salaries like official workers. In addition, people also have the right to trade traditional products right in their cultural space, helping to ensure income and motivate them to continue preserving their profession.

At Cat Cat Tourist Area, the company also creates conditions for local people to participate deeply in tourist service activities. Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien - Deputy Director of Cat Cat Tourism Company Limited said: Currently, Cat Cat Tourist Area has more than 250 regular workers, most of whom are local people. Many families have 3-4 members working together in the Tourist Area, from performing, selling handicrafts to providing services to tourists. Working right in their hometown, with a stable income helps people feel secure in their attachment and consider tourism as a long-term career, not a seasonal job.

Cat Cat tourist area has more than 250 workers, most of whom are local people.

As someone who understands the customs, habits and culture of the Mong people, after retiring, artisan Giang Seo Ga was invited by Cat Cat Tourist Area to guide and teach culture and language to the local youth right at the tourist site. For Mr. Ga, this job is both a responsibility and a joy of old age. "Although I am retired, I still have the strength and knowledge, I am very happy and find it meaningful to continue working and teaching the youth," Mr. Ga shared.

The fact that businesses invite local people to participate directly helps them become proactive in tourism activities: introducing culture, serving tourists, and creating stable income. They are no longer just outside observers, but become people who really contribute to preserving and developing local cultural heritage. With this approach, Sa Pa is proving that community tourism is only truly sustainable when it brings long-term benefits to local people, the real owners of the cultural heritage here.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/sinh-ke-moi-tu-phat-trien-du-lich-post887817.html