Rural tourism, agritourism, and eco-tourism have become the new trend thanks to their huge benefits of preserving natural habitats and resources and supporting local economies. Therefore, these kinds of tourism have been attracting a lot of attention from the all-level authorities and investors with the aim of satisfying the needs of tourists and contributing to the development of green destinations in Da Nang.

Da Nang boasts great potential for developing ecotourism. IN THE PHOTO: The banks of the Cu De River in Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District are highly attractive to Da Nang people. Photo: H.H

Promoting sustainable development of eco-tourism

Mr. Dinh Van Nhu, the owner of Alang Nhu Homestay nestled in Gian Bi Village, Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, said that since his homestay welcomed tourists, local people's lives have changed a lot.

Particularly, farmers have boosted farm productivity by planting more fruit trees, and raising more poultry and livestock to serve tourists and create more income and job opportunities for locals.

According to Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association Cao Tri Dung, eco-tourism, community-based tourism and agritourism will become one of the main pillars in terms of tourism products for Da Nang destinations, especially after COVID-19 there is an increasing demand for experience and nature-based tourism products.

Mr. Dung said Da Nang has a great potential for developing such types of tourism. He, therefore, stressed the need for the city to quickly develop a methodical development plan and form corresponding legal frameworks to develop these types of tourism soon.

He underlined the necessity for the city to soon re-check tourist establishments that have been set up and are being exploited, as well as facilitate local residents and investors to participate in ongoing projects, and the city's planning orientations for these types of tourism. Also, it is necessary to issue standards and conditions for developing these types of tourism.

Till date, the Hoa Vang District authorities have received 36 applications to participate in the piloting project of tourism services in combination with agricultural, forestry and aquaculture development in Hoa Vang District. Of which, 14 applications have registered for the development of tourism services in Hoa Bac Commune, 8 in Hoa Phu Commune, 16 in Hoa Ninh Commune, 2 in Hoa Khuong Commune, 1 in Hoa Phong Commune, 1 in Hoa Nhon Commune and 1 in Hoa Lien Commune.

However, following the municipal People’s Council-approved Resolution No. 82 dated December 17, 2021, Hoa Vang District is allowed to carry out only 15 pilot models of exploiting tourism services in combination with agricultural, forestry and aquaculture development.

During and after the pilot process, the land use purpose will not be changed. Only local people are permitted to carry out the aforementioned pilot models, whilst people from other places are banned from buying agricultural land to trade in tourism services.

Developing green tourism products

Rural tourism, featuring eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and agritourism, will contribute to the formation of green tourism destinations.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Trung Luong, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Tourism Development, underlined the importance of developing green tourism in increasing tourist numbers to the city.

Green tourism destinations must be associated with specific and different tourism products.

The green and different factors will create a competitive advantage between tourist destinations in the current context when the demand for exploration and experience has changed a lot. Building green and different tourist destinations is a winning factor in tourism development.

Mr. Le Thien Tu, Director of the Da Nang-based V.E.I Tourism Co., Ltd, acknowledged that in the future, the trend of experience tourism, trekking and camping will develop to suit the tastes and needs of tourists.

However, he underlined the need to develop completed tour products to destinations in order to exploit these products effectively. Included will be forest walking, culinary experience, boating, cycling, and inland waterway tours. Depending on routes, it is possible to build one day or 2 day/1 night tours.

Mr. Cao Tri Dung put a spotlight on the need for the city to quickly announce thematic planning on the development of eco-tourism, community-based tourism and agritourism, as well as create a strict legal framework for the development of these types of tourism.

He suggested that importance should be attached to guide existing and potential investors to comply with general regulations, and develop more new and special tourism products related to these types of tourism such as mountain climbing, walking, mountain biking, kayaking, camping, check-in, and local cuisine.

Besides, heed should be on creating income and jobs for locals, as well as increasing the purchasing power of destination products so as to promote the sustainable development of these types of tourism.

Head of the Culture and Information Office of Hoa Vang District Do Thanh Tan said that his unit would advise the district authorities to well exploit the advantages of agriculture and rural areas to develop tourism with appropriate steps and current regulations.

He emphasised Hoa Vang District would continue promoting the values ​​and potentials of tourism in tandem with preserving cultural values.

Also, focus will be on strongly boosting the linkage for tourism development between Hoa Bac - Hoa Phu - Hoa Ninh communes and other localities in the city, plus famous community tourist attractions in Central Viet Nam, thereby together building a green tourism ecosystem in Hoa Vang District.

This year, the municipal Department of Tourism plans to cooperate with the district-level authorities to support the development of trekking tours in Hoa Bac Commune, along with the piloting of tourism services in combination with agricultural, forestry and aquaculture development in Hoa Vang District.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP, THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG