A research to assess community eco-tourism and suggestions of solutions fo sustainable tourism development in Van Don district - Quang Ninh province

1
z

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
INSTITUTE OF VIETNAMESE STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT SIENCES




NGO HAI NINH



A RESEARCH TO ASSESS COMMUNITY ECO-
TOURISM AND SUGGESTIONS OF SOLUTIONS FOR
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN VAN
DON DISTRICT- QUANG NINH PROVINCE


MASTER THESIS
Major: Vietnamese Studies
Code : 60 31 60

Supervisor : Prof. DSc. Truong Quang Học




Ha Noi, 2011

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My Master
’
s thesis entitle, “A research to assess community Eco –
tourism and suggestion of Solutions for sustainable tourism development
in Van Don Distrist, Quang Ninh Province” was complete at the
Institute of Vietnamese studies and development Sciences.
I sincerely thank the teachers who are working in Institute of
Vietnamese studies and development Sciences, National Library, Library
of the Ha Noi University of Social Sciences and Humanities has helped
me during my materials learning and research process.
With all my love, I would like to express my deep gratitude to
Prof.DSc. Truong Quang Hoc who has dedicated great to my study and
completion process of my Master thesis. I would like to wish him and his
family good health and happiness.
I would like to send my gratitude to the office staff who are
working at the office of Culture and Information Van Don district, the
management of Bai Tu Long National Park, the provincial library,
Department of Culture – Sports and Tourism of Quang Ninh that was so
helpful and supportive providing me useful documents for the completion
of my thesis.
I would like to thank the College
’
s board of Ha Long Culture Arts
and Tourism, my colleagues, friends and family who have helped,

encouraged and motivated me endlessly during the learning, research and
completion process of my Master
’
s thesis.

Ha Noi, December 2011
Author



Ngo Hai Ninh






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ACRONYMS

BD: Bio-diversity
CET: Community eco-tourism
ET: Eco–tourism
EU: Europe Union
IUCN: International Union Conservation of Nature
LC: Local Community
NGO
s
: Non-government Organizations

NP: National Park
NR: Nature reserve
PC: People’s Committee
SD: Sustainable Development
ST: Sustainable Tourism
WTO: World Tourism Organization

















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LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure 1.1. Community structural components…… .11
Figure.1.2. Relationship between tourism resources and Community tourism
activities…… .14

Figure 1.3. Model of community-based tourism in Huay Hee hamlet - Thailand
18
Figure 1.4. Model of community-based tourism in Annapurna national
conservation area-Nepal 19
Figure 1.5. Model of SD of IUCN, 2004 21
Figure 1.6. The concept of sustainable development [Unesco] 24
Table 2.1. The legend of the brooch forest - Minh Chau commune 29
Table 2.2. International visitors to Van Don (period 2006-2010) 53
Figure 2.2. Number of international visitors compared to the total number of
visitors to Van Don period 2006-2010 54
Table 2.3. Domestic visitors to Van Don (period 2006-2010) 56
Table 2.4. Tourism revenue of Van Don district (period 2006-2010) 58
Figure 3.1: Minh Chau Commune map………………………………… 79
Figure 3.2. The model of community ecotourism development in communes:
Minh Chau, Van Don and Quang Ninh 82









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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 7
1. Aims of the study 1
2. Background 3
3. Object and scope of the study 3

4. Study methodology and methods 3
4.1 Methodology 3
4.2. Methods 4
5. The structure of thesis 5
CHAPTER ONE. THEORETICAL BASIS OF COMMUNITY ECOTOURISM
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 6
1.1. Ecotourism 6
1.1.1.Overview of research on ecotourism 6
1.1.1.1. In the world 6
1.1.1.2. In Vietnam 6
1.1.2. The concept of ecotourism 8
1.2. Community-based tourism 9
1.2.1 General theoretical basis for community-based tourism 9
1.2.1.1. The concept of community-based tourism 9
1.2.1.2. The Significance of community tourism development 11
1.2.1.3. Principles of community tourism development 11
1.2.1.4. Conditions for community tourism development 11
1.2.1.5. Characteristics of community tourism 12
1.2.1.6. The purpose of community tourism 13
1.2.1.7. The relationship between tourism activities and local community13
1.2.2. The experience of some countries in community-based ecotourism
development 16
1.2.2.1. In Huay Hee hamlet - Thailand 16
1.2.2.2. In Ghandruk village of Annapurna national conservation area – Nepal18
1.3. Sustainable Tourism Development 19
1.3.1. The concept of sustainable development 19
1.3.2. Sustainable tourism development 22

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1.3.3. The goals of sustainable tourism development 25
CHAPTER TWO. STATUS AND POTENTIALS OF COMMUNITY
ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES IN VAN DON DISTRICT, QUANG NINH
PROVINCE 27
2.1. General introduction to Van Don district 27
2.1.1. Geographic site 27
2.1.2. Area 28
2.1.3. Population and population distribution 28
2.2. The potential for community ecotourism in Van Don, Quang Ninh 29
2.2.1. The potential of the topography and geology for tourism 29
2.2.2. Climate potential 30
2.2.3. Hydrographical, maritime potential for tourism 30
2.2.4. Biodiversity potential for tourism 31
2.2.4.1. Ecosystems 31
2.2.4.2. Diversity of species and genetic resources 35
2.2.5. Some of the typical tourism destinations 36
2.2.6. Humanity tourism resources 40
2.2.6.1. Historical, cultural relics 41
2.2.6.2. The typical traditional festivals in Van Don 46
2.3. Current status of community ecotourism in Van Don 46
2.3.1. The main destinations 46
2.3.2. The facilities for tourism 47
2.3.2.1. Staying service 47
2.3.2.2. Restaurant 48
2.3.2.3. Transport services 48
2.3.2.4. Additional services 49
2.3.3. International visitors 49
2.3.4. Domestic visitors 51
2.3.5. Revenue on tourism 53

2.3.6. The participation of the people, participants and forms of participation in
tourism activities 54
2.3.7. The impact of tourism on local communities 58



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2.3.7.1. The positive impacts 58
2.3.7.2. The negative impacts 60
2.3.8. Some comments on the type of community ecotourism. 61
2.3.8.1. Limitations in the development of community tourism in Van Don 61
2.3.8.2. Limitations in sharing of benefits between tourism development units with
local community 62
CHAPTER 3. SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITY ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN VAN DON DISTRICT,
QUANG NINH PROVINCE 64
3.1. The premises for tourism development orientation in Van Don 64
3.2. Recommendations 65
3.2.1. Orientation of tourism development in Van Don 65
3.2.2. Improvement of tourism legislation and policy system 66
3.2.3. Training of local tourism human resources 67
3.2.4. Attraction of local community participation 68
3.2.5. Improvement of environmental quality for tourism 69
3.2.6. Enhancement of promotion, advertising of tourism product forms 70
3.2.7. Mainstreaming environmental and climate change issues into local tourism
developmental strategies, plannings, plans and programs 72
3.2.8. Proposal of sustainable community ecotourism development model in Minh
Chau commune, Van Don and Quang Ninh. 72
CONCLUSIONS 78
REFERENCES 80

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INTRODUCTION
1. Aims of the study
*Rationale of the study
Tourism is nowadays becoming a indispensable need in the socio-economy
all around the world. Tourism activities is rapidly developing and becoming an
important economic sector of many countries.
Tourism is called a “non-smoke industry” due to the huge income from its
activities. In the eco-friendly orientation, sustainable development and response
to global climate change of the economic sectors, the tourism industry has
emerged some tourism forms associated with environmental protection, such as
eco-tourism, country tourism, community tourism
As a result, the study of the development of this tourism type is essential.
Located about 40 kilometers from Ha Long city (Quang Ninh province), Van
Don is known as one of the attractive landscape for eco-tourism of Quang Ninh.
In the overall plan for tourism development of Quang Ninh, period 2000-2010,
Van Don was identified as one of four key areas to develop tourism.
In particular, the Prime Minister has delivered the Decision No. 786/QD-
TTg dated 07.26.2007 on the approval of the project "Development of socio-
economic in Van Don Economic Zone in 2020 and a vision to 2030", which
focuses on "Building the general economy of the island district of Van Don to
be a high-quality resort island."
With the natural tourism resources and rich human history along with a
long history of tradition, Van Don Island district has great potentials to develop

tourism, especially community ecotourism. In fact, the inner strength of Van
Don has not been effectively made advantage; people of the island have a low
living standard.
Though the living standard of many communes is being improved and
income from tourism development is increased, the risk of poverty again hasn’t
disappeared due to the unsustainable tourism investment and development. It
can be said that natural conditions, the issue of human resources and


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infrastructure are three fundamental elements which have a direct effect on the
economic value from tourism.
The communes who have potentials to develop ecotourism face difficulties
due to limited power system and fresh water for people and for tourists. In
addition, the local community doesn’t often take part in tourism activities,
economic benefits is low and unusual, depending largely on the tourist season.
The form of participation of the local people almost spontaneous, stem
from the rule of supply - demand (That is when the tourists need something,
people see the revenues from that service to improve their life, therefore, they
participate actively). For the purpose of investment in tourism development, the
area of agriculture and aquaculture production is becoming narrow.
Consequently, solving jobs for local people is more and more urgent.
From the above fact, the author courageously chosen the study: "A research
to assess community eco-tourism and suggestions of solutions for sustainable
tourism development in Van Don District, Quang Ninh province" as my
master's degree graduation study, major Vietnam, in the hope of contribution to
the sustainable tourism development particularly in Van Don district and
generally Quang Ninh province.
*Scientific significance of the study
The results of the study contributes to further clarify the concepts of

ecotourism, community tourism, sustainable tourism development - a
development has multiple meanings and prospects in Vietnam nowadays.

*Practical significance of the study
- Communities eco-tourism model towards sustainable development
proposed in the thesis can be applied to improve the quality and effectiveness of
current tourism activities in Van Don and to do further research and build a
model community ecotourism towards sustainable development in Van Don
district, Quang Ninh province.


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- The results of the thesis can be used as a reference for other districts in
similar situations of this field.
2. Background
There have been so far many scientific articles, documents and research of
the author to write about Van Don, Quang Ninh, but most of them are historical
studies, folklores and coastal people to praise the natural beauty of this place.
Several master theses refer to the object of their studies as tourism contributing
to tourism development in Van Don, but they only focus on the potentials and
policies to develop the planned functional tourism areas. The study on
community eco-tourism associated with objective of sustainable development is
a branch new research which has never done before yet.
3.Object and scope of the study
- Object of the study
+ Ecotourism potentials in Van Don District.
+ Community ecotourism activities being done in Van Don District towards
a sustainable development.
+ Local people who are living in the areas belong to the planned ecotourism
in Van Don District.

- Scope of the study
+ Place: Inner town of Cai Rong, areas along coast in Ha Long District,
islands of Minh Chau, Quan Lan, Ba Mun, Ngoc Vung in Van Don District,
Quang Ninh Province.
+ Time: The research is done in 3 years, from 2009 to 2011.
4. Study methodology and methods
4.1 Methodology
Tourism in general as well as community ecotourism in particular is an
interdisciplinary problem, involving many areas of natural resource extraction,
human activities and socio-economic, educational, business, share public
interest to institutional policies, security Therefore, the methodology is
system and interdisciplinary, approaching from the top down and bottom up.


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4.2. Methods
Thesis has used the following research methods:
- Methods of collection and analysis of documents and data: The author
has conducted collecting published documents, data, work and; studies,
magazines, books, internet; documents delivered by travel agents; reports of
People's Committee of Van Don district over the years, updated data on tourism
activities by the Culture and Information Office of Van Don district, Bai Tu
Long National Park
- On - Field Survey Methods: This method is used to investigate the
synthesis of natural conditions, economic and social subjects to supplement,
modify and update the latest information. Also, the direct surveys locally helps
author the thoroughly evaluate of the current eco-tourism activities in the local
community, which will be a factual basis to help the author propose some
solutions for tourism development in line with local condition. Surveys on the
studied area were divided into three phases: Phase 1 (from late December to

early January 2010), Phase 2 (from June 24 to June 30, 2011); Stage 3 (end of
September 2011).
- Methods of Sociological Investigation: The author interviewed experts,
got ideas from some experts in tourism activities in the district of Van Don to
serve as basis for the comments, remarks of the thesis; In addition, interviewing
and questionnaire survey conducted with 100 questionnaire papers delivered to
the local people involved in tourism activities in Van Don (Minh Chau
commune, Quan Lan commune ) 100 questionnaire papers were given to
visitors to Van Don. Moreover, the author also carried out some live interviews
with the waiters, waitresses, receptionists and other staff at hotels and resorts in
Van Don. Summing up the results of interviews and questionnaires, the author
will have a basis for proposals contributed to the complete the sustainable
community eco-tourism development in Van Don.
- Expert Method : Get consultation of local and national managers and
professors in tourism.


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5. The structure of thesis
Apart from the introduction, conclusion, list of abbreviations, list of tables,
list of references and appendices, the main contents of the thesis consists of
three chapters:
Chapter 1: Theoretical basis of community eco-tourism towards
sustainable development
Chapter 2: Status and potentials of community ecotourism activities in
Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province.
Chapter 3: Suggested solutions for sustainable community ecotourism
development in Van Don District, Quang Ninh Province.

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CHAPTER ONE. THEORETICAL BASIS OF COMMUNITY
ECOTOURISM TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1.1. Ecotourism
1.1.1. The status of research on ecotourism
1.1.1.1. In the world
In the developed countries, the type of ecotourism is well developed,
typically as European Community (EU), United States, Canada, Australia
Ecotourism has been developed in the developing countries: Nepal, Kenya,
Thailand, Malaysia, some regions in China and Central America They have
successfully built the ecotourism models, such as Ecomost of the EU (European

Community Models of Sustainable Tourism), ecotourism villages of Austria,
Huangshan model in China, community-based ecotourism model in Nepal. The
year of 2002 was selected by the UN General Assembly as the “International
Year of Ecotourism". The UN calls for stepping up research and application of
ecotourism and extensive dissemination on ecotourism, organization of
conferences, workshops, ecotourism program in the countries, areas, preparing
the best, most effectively for the International Conference on Ecotourism held in
2002. This policy has prompted many countries interested in developing
ecotourism more seriously, especially in developing countries, where they want
to rely on ecotourism to improve their underdeveloped economy. Responding to
the call by the United Nations, many countries such as Mexico, Australia,
Thailand, and Malaysia have developed national ecotourism strategies and
plans.
1.1.1.2. In Vietnam
In the 70s of the 20
th
century, mass tourism and irrespective tourism still
focused mainly to large mammals, this attention has been destroying habitat and
causing trouble to living behavior of wild animals, destruction of the nature and
the environment. However, the visitors gradually began to realize the ecological
damage caused by them and more, local people were also interested in natural
and environmental values, the thematic tourism tours, such as bird hunting,


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natural walking began to have guidance and strict management, ecotourism was
gradually formed from here.
Since late 1990, Ecotourism has caused the attention at the national level
with the participation of large organizations such as the Vietnam National
Administration of Tourism; IUCN With the financial support from

international organizations, Vietnam has opened many training courses,
seminars on ecotourism. However, this work mainly focuses on national parks
and natural conservation areas such as: Cuc Phuong, Cat Ba, Ba, Ba Vi, Bach
Ma There have been many agencies and individuals with emphasis on
research and application of ecotourism in Vietnam. Typically, in 2004, FPD,
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Vietnam in cooperation with
the Organization for Sustainable Development Fundeso and Spainish
International Cooperation Organization published the book: "Handbook for
Managing development of ecotourism in conservation areas in Vietnam. " In
this official document, the problems on ecotourism location planning,
architecture regulations structure of ecotourism location, human resource
training, and tourism marketing are presented in a clear and methodical
manner.
However, in reality ecotourism activities have abused and caused many
pressing problems for the ecological environment:
- The exploration and conversion of using natural land to build hotels,
motels, infrastructure for tourism have lost the residence of many species of
wild animals and plants that caused the degradation of biodiversity and
ecological balance;
- Solid waste and wastewater from tourist places, tourist area has polluted
soil and water resources in watersheds;
- The leveling, destruction of mangroves for the construction of tourism
projects in coastal areas have destroyed the living environment of many species
living in flooding conditions;


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- A number of tourists participating in ecotourism have brought about
negative impacts on forest resources, such as: littering indiscriminately, carving
and breaking trees, teasing animals, lighting fires indiscriminately caused forest

fires, hunting wild animals;
- The increase in air pollution due to tourist transportation will affect the
atmosphere, animal life and even that is the cause of the migration of many
animals which are sensitive with the changes in the atmosphere [2; page.100-
101].
Thus, living environment of plants and animals, air quality, water quality
and soil environment had unbeneficial changes with the life of plants and
animals and humans because of tourist activities. Therefore, the development of
ecotourism forms requires the strict management and diminution of the negative
impacts of tourism on the ecological environment to ensure sustainable
development objectives.
1.1.2. The concept of ecotourism
- In Vietnam, the national workshop on "Building a strategic of tourism
development in Vietnam" gave the definition of ecotourism: "Ecotourism is a
tourist form based on native nature and culture, associated with environmental
education, has contribution to conservation efforts and sustainable development,
with the active participation of local communities "[2, page. 22]
- Characteristics of the ecotourism:
Ecotourism is a tourist form that is developed based on the value of native
nature and culture, is managed sustainably about ecological environment, with
education and interpretation of the environment and contribute to conservation
efforts and community development [14, page .7-11].
- Conditions for developing ecotourism:
Ecotourism is developed only in the condition of destination having the
existence of typical ecosystems with high biodiversity, and the team of tour
guides must have knowledge, managers must be strict and ecotourism only be
held with strict compliance with the provisions of the capacity [14, page.21-23].


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1.2. Community-based tourism
1.2.1 General theoretical basis for community-based tourism
1.2.1.1. The concept of community-based tourism
Term community-based tourism (also called community tourism) is derived
from the form of village travel from 1970 and tourists visit villages to
understand the customs, traditions, wildlife, festivals, and some tourists may
want to explore ecosystems, mountains and forests -often referred to as
ecotourism.
Currently there are many different names related to tourism development
with more or less the participation of community in tourism development:
Community-Based Tourism; Community-Development in Tourism;
Community-Based Ecotourism; Community-Participation in Tourism;
Community - Based Mountain Tourism…
Despite the different names but there are some the same basic problems or
similar in methods of organization, location, target, location for the
development of tourism and community. Some of the same basic points of the
concepts mentioned above:
- The form of tourism is generated by tourists visiting regions with many
natural resources.
- Location to develop community-based tourism is regions with rich natural
resources and culture to attract tourists.
- Community issue is mentioned as classes of the inhabitants living in the
region or adjacent regions with natural resources, such as National Conservation
Area or mountain regions where there are great potential to attract tourists.
"Community Tourism" also known as "community-based tourism" is
known as a principle that local community is exploiters and protectors of tourist
resources, as well as legal persons for management of these resources. There are
many points of view on community tourism: " Community-based tourism is a
tourism development method in which the community provide services to
develop tourism and participate in conservation of natural resources and

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environment, and the community takes physical and mental benefits from the
development of tourism and natural conservation "[24, page. 51].
- Mountain Institute introduced the concept of community tourism:
“Community tourism is to preserve tourism resources in tourism destinations for
long-term sustainable development of tourism. Community tourism encourages
involvement of local people in tourism and has a mechanism to create
opportunities for the community. "
- Community tourism emphasis on three factors, nature, environment and
human. Community tourism directions to human and doesn’t deny the
importance of nature and environment factors. This basic principle above shows
that the local people are participators, owners and managers in community
tourism activities, and they are interested in conservation and protection of
natural resources and environment which connects closely to the existence of
themselves, their family and the community.



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Figure 1.1. Components of the community
1.2.1.2. The Significance of community tourism development
For tourism, community tourism form contributes to diversify tourism
products, attract tourists and protect tourism resources.
For the community, community tourism has equitable distribution of
benefits from tourism activities for the participants, including local community.
Community tourism brings economic benefits to the community members
participating directly to provide services to tourists, and the whole community
will benefit from the contribution of tourism activities on the local environment,

society economy and culture [24, p.54-56].


1.2.1.3. Principles of community tourism development
Development of community tourism should comply with the following
principles:
- Community may participate in discussion of plans, planning,
implementation and management, investment to develop tourism;
- Compliance with the ability of the community, including the ability to
recognize the role and position in the use of resources, recognize the great
potential of tourism in community development as well as know the real
disadvantages from tourism activities and tourists to community resources;
- Sharing benefits from tourism to the community, community tourism
must ensure benefits to local community in all fields of environment, economy
society and culture, particularly: reinvesting into community to build systems of
roads, bridges, electricity and health care, education
- Establishing ownership and participation of community to natural
resources and culture towards sustainable development [24, p.58].
1.2.1.4. Conditions for community tourism development
Community tourism is only developed in a condition that the destination
has rich and pristine natural tourism resources and unique human and distinctive


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tourism resources. At the same time, community tourism must possess strong
traditional cultural values reflecting the ethnic characteristics, and especially
they must have right responsibility recognition on tourism development and
resource conservation. Domestic and international tourist market is also an
important condition. In addition, to develop community tourism the support of
governments, NGOs in term of finance and experience, the support of the travel

companies in the advocacy and advertising issue to attract tourists is very
important [24, page.56].
1.2.1.5. Characteristics of community tourism
Community tourism has the following characteristics:
- Community tourism is a form in the tourism business in which the
community is the main provider of tourism products to tourist; they play the
leading role in the development and maintenance of services;
- Zones, locations for community-based tourism development are areas
with intact wild natural resources affected by damage, should be conserved;
- Development of community-based tourism in points having attraction of
tourists to visit;
- Community must include local people living, working in or adjacent to
the natural resources, humanity locations. Community includes residents who
have direct responsibility for participation in the protection of tourism resources
and the environment to limit, minimize impacts by tourists and operators in their
own community;
- Basing on community including factors empowering the community, the
community is encouraged to participate and undertake tourism activities and
conservation of environmental resources;
- Development of community tourism means to ensure fairness in sharing
tourism revenue for community among the parties;
- Due to resources and community conditions, it should consider these
factors helping, creating conditions of stakeholders including role of


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government institutions, NGOs at home and abroad, not to change the
community.
1.2.1.6. The purpose of community tourism
Community tourism purpose is to exploit rationally, save natural resources,

conserve cultural heritage, enhance community life, reduce poverty, generate
income for people, bring in growing revenue for the tourism. In addition,
community tourism also encourages the participation of local community with
volunteer helping them be more active, respected and responsible for tourism
resources – community tourism development is to return to local community
real ownership on values of natural resources, humanities where they live and
teach them to organize tourism activities, which bring direct benefit for people's
life. Some of the purposes and objectives of community tourism has been
regarded as the guideline for this type of tourism development, including:
- Community tourism must help protect natural resources and culture,
including the biological diversity, water resources, forests, cultural identity
- Community tourism must contribute to the development of local economy
through increasing tourism revenues and other benefits for local community;
- Community tourism must be increasingly involved by the local
community;
- Community tourism must give tourists a tourism product responsible for
the environment and society.
1.2.1.7. The relationship between tourism activities and local community


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Figure.1.2. Relationship between tourism resources and Community
tourism activities [17, p.47].
The model showing the relationship between resources and activities of the
community has great significance in the development of community-based
tourism, tourism resources are subject to service to attract tourists and generate
income for the community and encourage them to participate in providing
services for tourists, and active community participation in conservation
activities, protection of environmental resources, but better environmental

resources attract tourist to visit, in other words, this is the cycle in the
development of community-based tourism. Local community in tourism
activities includes the collective having relationship with each other, living in
the territory where the natural resources and humanity being exploited and used
by tourist to serve for tourism business purposes. These resources include land,
forest product, seafood used to be the lifeline of the local community are now
being shared for many purposes. Environment and tourism activities have close
relationships, and are closely connected with each other. Environment including
resources which is the lifeline of local community has been shared with tourist.
That is, the destination is formed gradually in the locations having tourism


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potential in an economic - cultural - ecological space. It appeared earlier and
coexists with tourism activities and daily production of local residents. One of
the basic characteristics of the territory is tourism mixing. Most of the tourism
location: trade village tourism, ecotourism, and country tourism are all, at the
same time, the residential areas, or near residential areas with vibrant and strong
economic activity. Mixing characteristics make tourism space and socio-
economic space of local community succinctly indistinguishable, the interaction
between environment and tourism is also difficult to clarify. Mixing
characteristics make environmental management, socio-economic management
at tourism location complex and inefficient. Therefore, the development of
tourism activities must ensure the uniformity, consistency with the strategy of
socio-economic development of each locality. Tourism activities are not integral
to the interaction with socio-economic activities of the local community. It
needs to attract the local community to tourism activities aimed at improving the
quality of tourism products, while creating economic incentives for poverty
alleviation and improving the quality of life of the local community. Tourism,
like many other economic sectors, always aims to sustainable economic - social

- environmental development, tourism development should ensure to:
- Use economically and efficiently natural resources;
- Protect culture and welfare of local community;
- Create fairness within and between generations.
Thus, one of objects that community tourism is directed is the local
community because they are the owners of tourist resources where they are
living and improving quality of life of local community is a very important goal.
* The role of local community in tourism activities
Before the tourist activities, local community had lived and sticked to
familiar ground, they are all they are the owners, tied their lives to the land. At
the same time they create the unique indigenous culture, which has created the
attraction for tourists. Following the each other, the generations seek to preserve
and develop the natural and cultural values of the place of tourist activities.


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When tourism activity takes place, local community must share their resources
with tourists, for those who do professional tourism, inherently a source of their
life before. Local community is the owner of the land where they are living and
doing tourism. It needs to give them a position as real masters, not only guides,
souvenir sellers, passenger transporters but they will have the role of tourism
resources manager, taking place in the process of tourism planning in the area
where they are living. Inadequate participation of local community will be the
disadvantage for tourism activities. The relationship between local community
and tourism doer includes not only unique member, but has many stakeholders:
between the local people and managers, between people and tourists So, it
should regulate the relationship of interest between the parties. In community
tourism activities, promoting the participation of local community is a complex
and very important issue if you want to organize successful a trip. Although
there are many options and solutions varying from different regions and

different communities, but an important rule is to work with social organizations
and communities and any opinion of local community to be respected,
considered and satisfactorily resolved.
1.2.2. The experience of some countries in community-based
ecotourism development
1.2.2.1. In Huay Hee hamlet - Thailand
Huay Hee hamlet is located in the campus of Ma Hong Shan National Park
in Thailand. Local people are from various ethnic minority groups, mostly
Karen. In the Huay Hee, there are 127 people living on the campus of 27
households. Karen people live by farming and exploitation of forest products,
income of the community bases on natural resources which are increasingly
depleted. However, due to the abundance of natural resources, they still attract
tourists; the number of tourists increases and breaks away the tranquility of
forests, introduction of tourists has affected the lifestyle the natives. For
resource management, the Thai government has established the Management
Board of Ma Hong Son National Park. After going into regular operation,


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conflict between local community and the Management Board, especially after
the Management Board intends to move the entire Huay Hee hamlet out of the
park. To limit the negative in the community, the National Park Management
Board in collaboration with several non-governmental organizations builds
community-based tourism model in Huay Hee.

Figure 1.3. Model of community-based tourism development in Huay
Hee hamlet - Thailand [24, p.92]
From the fact of community tourism development of above, it can draw
lessons for development of community-based tourism in Huay Hee - Thailand:
+ Most importantly, since the implementation, the project has the support

of non-governmental organizations on finance and organization experience
focusing on training and guidance to the community.
+ The professional training on tourism and conservation through training
courses, specialized reports and academic institutions organization in the
community should be focused.
+ Keeping the status on the land of the community, protecting and
respecting the traditions and customs in the process of implementing projects
from consulting, discussing, planning and implementing.


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+ Having commitment to ensure community interests and sharing the
benefits from tourism to ensure public confidence.
+ Increasing power to the community in the process of implementing the
plan
+ Participation of agencies [24, page. 93]
1.2.2.2. In Ghandruk village of Annapurna national conservation area –
Nepal
Ghandruk village is located in Annapurna conservation area, Nepal. The
population varies from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, main source
of income are mainly from agriculture, livestock farming and exploiting
resources available in the area. They make houses with wood in the forest,
logging for fuel. In 1986, with the support of nature conservation project in the
Annapurna region, the region developed community-based ecotourism activities
[24, p.83].

Figure 1.4. Model of community-based tourism development in
Annapurna national conservation area-Nepal [24, p.84].
From the analysis as above, we can draw some lessons for the development
of community-based tourism in Annapurna national conservation area-Nepal.

+ The support of local government is important, in addition, the support of
non-governmental organizations on finance and organization experience
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.35", Tab
stops: 0.5", Left + 0.75", Left