Global trends
On International Biodiversity Day (May 22), the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) released a report on "integrating biodiversity into national tourism policies".
The report aims to study the complex relationship between tourism and biodiversity, and strongly advocates for the harmonious integration of tourism development with biodiversity conservation as this trend is spreading globally.
A survey by booking.com of approximately 29,000 travelers in 30 countries revealed that 72% believe people must act now to save the planet for future generations.
This shows that tourists are increasingly aware of the environment and society, which means that the need to return to nature to experience and learn about its original values is also increasing.
Mr. Hoang Hoa Quan, Deputy Head of the Travel Management Department of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, said that the current trend in global tourism is returning to nature.
Vietnam's tourism industry is also in the process of transitioning from "brown" to "green" tourism . However, preliminary statistics show that the contribution of responsible tourism to the overall tourism revenue is still not high.
The demand for educational tourism is increasing, including among local students. Recognizing this, many business-run destinations or traditional craft villages have developed simple experiential and educational products and services, such as day trips. However, these products are still quite fragmented and not attractive enough to draw in tourists from outside the region.
In Quang Nam's 2024 summer tourism stimulus program, a notable product package, integrated with educational tourism, is a "summer camp" linked to the unique ecosystems of the locality.
This product package is currently highly rated and well-received by tourists, so some tours have to limit the number of students participating to ensure quality.
Opportunities for Quang Nam
The Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An World Biosphere Reserve can be considered one of the pioneering places in the locality and the country in promoting educational tourism associated with "nature's classrooms," starting many years ago.
"The 'lecture hall' here is the river, the mangrove forest, the organic vegetable garden... Dr. Chu Manh Trinh (Management Board of Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve) said that the 'lecturers' here could be farmers in Cam Thanh or homestay owners in Cu Lao Cham."
They enthusiastically shared stories about their harmonious coexistence with nature with visitors, ranging from domestic and international tourists to expert delegations and even residents of community villages in the central region, seeking their insights and experiences.
Mr. Van Ba Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that when tourists think of Quang Nam tourism, they often associate it with the two heritage sites of Hoi An ancient town and My Son temple complex. However, in reality, Quang Nam also has a vast ecosystem with many unique conservation areas, national parks, and biosphere reserves.
And tourism products developed in these ecosystems must certainly be based on the principle of protecting resources and the environment, avoiding any impact or damage to their natural and social communities.
In addition, Quang Nam currently has the Safari semi-wild animal park (part of Vinwonders Nam Hoi An) - a very popular educational experience destination.
Recently, during a working visit to this location, provincial leaders also requested that the unit, during off-peak periods of the year, create preferential conditions for local tourists, especially students, to experience nature and promote wildlife conservation.
According to tourism businesses, besides the Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, some typical areas with great potential to promote educational tourism include Tam My Tay Forest (Nui Thanh District) with its population of gray-footed langurs, Song Thanh National Park, and Bai Say - Song Dam...
These are all valuable natural "assets" that have been built up and preserved over hundreds of years, possessing many unique and attractive values that can be used to create tours that attract responsible tourists.
Mr. Le Hoang Ha, Director of EMIC Travel Co., Ltd., believes that these destinations need to change their perspective on potential markets. Educational tourism positions itself as a broad market, and all customer segments can participate with their own specific needs.
However, the most important step remains having a specific plan for tourism development in the area, so that businesses will dare to venture in and cooperate with the community and management agencies.
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