- Sustainable tourism principles
Sustainable development is one of the world's millennium goals and is also a leading goal for Vietnam's development. In our country, the concept of sustainable development has only been approached since the 1980s, confirmed during the country's socio-economic development from 1991 to 2000, by Directive 36 CT/TW dated June 25. 1998 of the Politburo on strengthening environmental protection in the period of industrialization and modernization of the country. At the same time, it was also confirmed through the policies through the 10th, 11th and 12th National Party congresses, becoming important orientations for industries, including tourism. Determining the principles of sustainable development and sustainable tourism is an important basis for the next steps of the tourism industry. Need a breakthrough policy to turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector for the development of the country
Sustainable development and sustainable tourism
The term sustainable development was first used in the report “World Conservation Strategy” proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1980. The overall objective of the strategy is to achieve sustainable development. sustainable development by protecting biological resources, emphasizing the sustainability of development in terms of ecology, in order to call for the conservation of biological resources.
Most of the later concepts agree that the content of sustainable development is a development process with a close, reasonable and harmonious combination between the three aspects of development, economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and cultural and social sustainability. Tourism is considered the largest "smokeless industry" worldwide, actively contributing to the economic development of countries, preserving global cultural values as well as having a positive impact on the economy. impact on all aspects of natural resources and the environment.
Sustainable tourism development concept: “The development of tourism that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their tourism needs”. Accordingly, in the development process, it is necessary to ensure economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and socio-cultural sustainability.
In particular, economic sustainability should be understood as the long-term stable development of tourism, generating significant revenue, making a positive contribution to the socio-economic growth, bringing benefits to the local community. communities, especially local people. If the living standard of local people is improved from tourism, they will have a reason to protect this source of income by protecting resources and the environment, protecting traditional cultural values for tourists to continue. in the future, thereby eradicating hunger and reducing poverty, providing opportunities to improve living standards for local people, and economic growth for disadvantaged areas.
Principles of sustainable tourism development
Tourism is a general economic sector, interdisciplinary, inter-regional and highly socialized. Sustainable development requires the joint efforts of the whole society. The goal of sustainable development is to bring harmony between the economy, society and the environment without compromising the future. To achieve that goal, it is necessary to identify 10 principles of sustainable tourism development, as a guideline for further activities, to help the tourism industry develop sustainably in the future, specifically:
Firstly, exploit and use resources rationally.
Resources are the totality of geographical location, natural resources, national property system, human resources, policy lines, capital and markets... both at home and abroad that can be exploited to serve service for tourism development. The sustainable use and conservation of natural, cultural and social resources is essential to ensure the long-term development and exploitation of tourism activities based on the calculation of current needs.
The tourism industry needs to prevent damage to natural resources, environment and humanities, develop and enforce sound environmental policies in the fields of tourism, install noise reduction devices. air, water... Implement the principle of prevention, respect the needs of local people, protect and support the inheritance of national cultural heritage in the world, and implement tourism activities. responsible and ethical tourism, resolutely eliminating tourism activities contrary to fine customs and traditions.
Second, minimize the over-consumption of natural resources.
The consumption of natural resources at a sufficient level on the one hand helps to restore natural resources, on the other hand, reducing waste to the environment will avoid many costs for environmental restoration, contributing to increasing the quality of tourism. calendar.
To realize this principle, the tourism industry needs to encourage the reduction of improper consumption by tourists, prioritize the use of local resources, reduce waste and ensure safe waste generated by tourists. discharge, support and invest in local infrastructure, waste recycling projects, and be responsible for recovering losses through tourism planning.
Third, maintain natural, social and human diversity.
It is necessary to respect the diversity of nature, society and environment of the destination, to ensure the pace, scale and type of tourism development, to protect the diversity of local culture. Prevention respecting the capacity of each region, closely monitoring tourism activities for flora and fauna, integrating tourism activities into the activities of the population community, preventing the replacement of occupations. long-standing tradition with modern professions, encouraging the unique characteristics of each region and each region. Develop tourism in accordance with local culture, social welfare, development needs, ensure the scale and progress of different types of tourism in order to increase mutual understanding between tourists and locals. reside in...
Fourth, tourism development must be placed in the master plan of socio-economic.
The long-term existence of the tourism industry must be within the framework of the national, regional and local socio-economic strategies. To ensure development, the tourism industry needs to take into account the immediate needs of both residents and visitors. countries, regions, territories, localities, industry development integrated in the general strategy, taking the overall strategy as the development orientation for the whole industry. Tourism development must be consistent with the locality, in accordance with the planning assigned by the locality, that development is sustainable and long-term.
Fifth, tourism development must support the local economy.
With interdisciplinary characteristics, sustainable development is not only it but also entails many other fields, in the field of tourism, the support for other industries is not only large enterprises but also small and medium enterprises. are the units that receive much support, leading to economic support for the locality. In other words, the tourism industry underpins economic diversification by operating in many fields. Investment in tourism is not only tourism products and project areas, but also tourism infrastructure and local infrastructure, bringing benefits to many economic sectors of the local people.
Sixth, to attract the participation of local communities in sustainable tourism development.
The participation of the local community is a factor in ensuring sustainable tourism development. When the local community is involved in tourism development, it will create many favorable conditions for tourism, because they are responsible for the resources and environment of the area.
Therefore, tourism management agencies must respect the needs and aspirations of local communities, support local communities' views in their own development, encourage them to participate in projects and activities. for sustainable tourism development. Support businesses to participate in projects, solve difficulties for local people, cooperate with local people to provide their own goods and services to tourists, contribute to tourism development. your local calendar.
Seventh, consult the people and relevant subjects.
The exchange between the tourism industry, the community and relevant agencies is essential to resolve conflicts in the process of implementing the steps of tourism development. Consult with stakeholders and communities, domestic and foreign organizations, non-governmental organizations, and governments with ideas for projects, for sustainable tourism development, to integrate interests of the parties for the purpose of harmonizing interests in the implementation process.
Tourism also brings about direct contact between tourists and local people and the potential changes brought about by tourism activities. Publicly consult the people and stakeholders to encourage participation in order to adjust the next steps and integrate appropriate benefits.
Eighth, focus on human resource training.
With sustainable tourism development, human resource training and development is an extremely necessary task. A well-trained workforce will not only bring economic benefits to the industry but also improve the quality of tourism products.
In the recruitment stage, pay attention to local human resources, focus on professional training, and integrate environmental and social issues in training and raise awareness for staff, students and employees. People participate in tourism activities about their cultural identity and unique cultural products in their locality. Support for educational institutions by sharing profits from the tourism sector.
Ninth, marketing the tourism industry responsibly
It is necessary to market and provide adequate information to tourists through the media such as newspapers, radio, internet, etc. It is necessary to take advantage of the great power from the internet, search engines, the explosion of social networks and smart devices. However, promotional information needs to be screened and moderated before being released to the public in order to help interact with travelers globally more effectively.
Tenth, attach importance to scientific research in tourism industry
In order for tourism to become a professional, modern and sustainable economic sector, scientific research activities play an important role in formulating strategies, planning, planning, training and implementing development activities. tourism development. Scientific and technological achievements in tourism in recent years have become important scientific foundations with high practical application, contributing to the development of the tourism industry.
Research results of a number of scientific works are valuable references for state management agencies in completing legal documents, planning development policies and strategies. Therefore, in the future, encourage scientific research and monitor activities related to tourism activities, sustainable development of the tourism industry, encourage the evaluation of data before undertaking a project. . At the same time, supporting the research and investigation of information as well as research results, for relevant subjects.
