VIETNAM - Ecotourism in name only?

Vietnam Investment Review, 18 September, 2006

The term “ecotourism” is frequently used to describe a number of package holidays on offer to foreign and local tourists, yet tourism experts are saying true ecotourism has yet to be developed in Vietnam.
Many experts are also concerned that overuse of the term will affect the quality of a type of tourism that should benefit local communities.
An Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR) report shows that, 95 per cent of the country’s sites are advertised as offering ecotourism, yet all these sites are based on nature holidays, not ecotourism.
Le Van Lanh, deputy director of the National Park Centre, said to develop ecotourism operators should be taught that type of tourism is based on nature and indigenous culture. Yet, should also include environmental education and contribute toward the development and participation of the local community.
Lanh said ecotourism should be used to promote holidays along the country’s 3,260 kilometres of diverse coastline. However, the term should not be abused as it will eventually affect the quality of ecotourism.
“Tour managers have yet to clearly understand the term ecotourism as well as the criteria of this tourism product. This situation leads to weaknesses in managing ecotourism sites,” said Pham Trung Luong, deputy director of ITDR.

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