Ben Tre tourism develops in the right direction, tourists stay longer

Besides the positive aspects of economic efficiency, the tourism industry also brings some impacts to the environment. There is a view that tourism development can lead to serious environmental and local cultural degradation. Therefore, a new approach to tourism is needed and this approach needs to start from the well-being of local communities and pay attention to the protection of the natural environment.

According to Dr. Phan Thi Ngan, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, the community tourism through the tourism value chain not only helps people protect ecological environmental resources but also protects and promotes local cultural uniqueness. However, to ensure sustainability, strict management measures are needed.

“This can be achieved through the application of environmental protection and tourism management standards, as well as educating visitors on the importance of environmental protection and respect for local culture in order to develop sustainable development", Dr. Phan Thi Ngan shared.

According to Master Phan Buu Toan, Vice Principal of Saigon Tourism College, reducing emissions in agriculture and tourism is not a simple story but the key issue is still the human factor. Because, requiring a farmer with many skills of a service worker is still a very difficult problem.

Mr. Toan also shared that in the process of training people to work in tourism, there were many cases of people who did not have communication skills or understand english but still did tourism because they had the initiative. However, spontaneous agricultural or community tourism models often "break down in the middle of the way". The proposed solution is to have a training program in a "hands-on" way for each person and not rush to chase quantity.

In Ben Tre, tourism businesses actually pay attention to environmental issues. C2T Communications and Tourism Company, a local business, is providing tourists with the product “Tour Netzero C2T”, providing solutions for sustainable tourism. This tourism product is designed for sustainable tourism, minimizing carbon emissions throughout the journey.

The tour uses environmentally friendly means of transportation such as electric cars, bicycles, and boats. Prioritize the use of renewable energy at accommodation establishments and attractions. Limit plastic waste, use environmentally friendly materials. Tourists will participate in activities of planting trees, protecting the environment, visiting traditional craft villages, and learning about the lives of local people.

Currently, Ben Tre tourism follows the community eco-tourism motif, in the right direction, with sustainable development, associated with indigenous resources, culture, and environmental management with a growth rate ranging from 20 to 30%/year. The time that tourists stay is now longer, there are also international tourists who, after experiencing the services at homestays, have canceled other tours to stay longer.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ben Tre province, said that the tourism industry and the environmental industry must be closely linked for a green environment and sustainable tourism. Practical and effective solutions come not only from management agencies but also from the role of localities and communities, especially responsible subjects and tourists in the process of using tourism products.

The entire Ben Tre province has 50 travel agencies and 100 accommodation establishments with a capacity of nearly 4,000 guests. Among them, there are 2 accommodation establishments that won the green hotel award: Diamond Star and Dua Hotel. In addition, there are about 40 homestays, all of which use local materials. Ecotourism products rely on the community and people's activities to turn into products and services to serve tourists.