Tourism and heritages are always seen in a two-way relationship: heritages provide invaluable resources for tourism development, while tourism facilitates the promotion of heritage values and vice versa. However, the rapid tourism development over the recent times has consequently put considerable pressure on heritages, particularly in places where the tourism industry is overheating. Starting from a small town on the left bank of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An has risen into a destination for four million visitors a year. An appeal for help from heritages Statistics revealed at a recent seminar, entitled ‘Hoi An tourism: Integration and Sustainable Development’, held by Hoi An city People's Committee, raised a concern among the participants. Starting from a small town on the left bank of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An has risen into a destination for four million visitors a year, while the city's population is more than 92,000, which means that there are forty tourists … [Read more...] about Reducing tourism pressure on heritages
Tourism impacts and sustainability
Vietnam puts effort into biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism
The statement was made by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) Tran Hong Ha while addressing the "Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Tourism" seminar, which was held on June 26 on the sidelines of the ongoing sixth Global Environment Facility Assembly (GEF 6) in the central city of Da Nang. The Vietnamese minister also acknowledged that the rapid development of tourism in some localities of the country has had negative impacts on the ecosystem, plant and animal species there. He called for greater international support for perfecting policies and laws regarding the issues at hand as well as in raising Vietnam’s capacity in developing nature-based tourism with priority given to protecting biodiversity and boosting livelihoods. He also hoped for wider experience sharing on feasible models of tourism development and public private partnerships which succeed in simultaneously conserving biodiversity and promoting tourism. Delegates at the event, which was … [Read more...] about Vietnam puts effort into biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism
Vietnam tourism’s overwhelming reliance on Chinese, S.Koreans worrying: experts
South Korean visitors at Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong More than 7.89 million foreign tourists came to Vietnam in the first half of this year, 27.2 percent higher than in the same period last year. A massive 2.56 million of this number were Chinese, up 36.1 percent, and over 1.7 million were South Korean, up 60.7 percent. In 2017, visitor numbers had risen sharply, by 29.1 percent, to reach an all-time high of 12.9 million, according to the General Statistics Office. Again South Koreans and Chinese had accounted for the lion’s share. In this scenario, the mission to diversify Vietnam’s tourism markets has a long way to go. This year the numbers of tourists from the third and fourth largest markets, Japan and Europe, were 404,000 and 1.08 million, up 6.6 percent and 11 percent year-on-year. The overwhelming dependence on two markets has raised concerns in the industry that tourism could be hit hard if there is a crisis like the … [Read more...] about Vietnam tourism’s overwhelming reliance on Chinese, S.Koreans worrying: experts
Quang Ninh looks to optimise sea tourism potential
Quang Ninh is endowed with natural advantages for sea and island tourism. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh has been growing at a fast pace in recent years, establishing its important role in the province’s economy and moving towards sustainability. Quang Ninh is endowed with natural advantages for sea and island tourism. It is home to the Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bays, the Ha Long Bay National Park and some islands, the best known of which is Co To and Van Don. In particular, Ha Long Bay has been twice recognised as a World Natural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The Heritage site has become a magnet drawing visitors to Quang Ninh. In 2017, a total of 9.87 million tourists visited the province, including 4.28 million foreigners. More than 70 percent of the tourists came in sea and island tours. In 2018, Quang Ninh welcomed more than 10 million … [Read more...] about Quang Ninh looks to optimise sea tourism potential
First Class of Asian Entrepreneurs Graduates from UNCTAD and Alibaba Business School’s eFounders Fellowship Program
The first class of Asian entrepreneurs have graduated from the eFounders Fellowship at a ceremony in Hangzhou, China. The program, a joint initiative by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Alibaba Business School, aims to enable young entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential and to bridge the digital divide. With the conclusion of the second eFounders program, Alibaba is now another step closer to fulfilling the commitment made by Jack Ma, founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, in his capacity as the UNCTAD Special Adviser for Young Entrepreneurs and Small Business. Over the next five years, Alibaba and UNCTAD will help empower 1,000 entrepreneurs in developing countries to use digital transformation for more inclusive and sustainable economic development. “The energetic spirit and creativity of these young entrepreneurs and the altruistic approach they demonstrate in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals is encouraging. Their … [Read more...] about First Class of Asian Entrepreneurs Graduates from UNCTAD and Alibaba Business School’s eFounders Fellowship Program