Sa Pa's Tourism Development

It goes without question that tourism development alters the places where it occurs. How it alters these places and whether the results are positive or negative depend largely on how the complexity of development is managed. From a sustainability standpoint, tourism development occurring in an “ideal way” will result in widespread economic benefits for the local community, and tourism that doesn't degrade the local/natural environment or the well-being of the local people. The question is: what factors cause a destination to transform in a way that allows it to achieve these ideals?

The Sa Pa region of northern Vietnam is one that changed immensely through tourism development. Since the early 1900s when the French utilized Sa Pa as a holiday destination for the military, the area has experienced fluctuating levels of tourism. In the late 1940's visitation was halted completely when the region was attacked by Viet Minh. It wasn't until the 1990s that it picked up again, and is now showing little sign of slowing down.

The construction of a new hotels in Sa Pa town.

When you go to Sa Pa today, the “hustle and bustle” that comes along with tourism development is visible across all corners of town. One major enabler of the tourism industry’s growth is the recent addition of a national expressway that was built in 2014. Cutting the journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai (Sa Pa’s closest major city) in half, the new route has resulted in a steady influx of domestic tourists who travel to the mountain town on weekend getaways.

In addition to the growing weekend crowds, other signs of development are very noticeable. The construction of several large hotels is underway throughout the town, a new cable car is now operating on Mount Fanispan, and more and more locals from the surrounding villages are opening up homestays. On top of all this, a new domestic airport to serve Sa Pa has been proposed.

So, as Sa Pa town and the surrounding villages enter this new phase of tourism development, the question remains: what steps need to be taken in order to ensure that this development occurs in a way that is sustainable from environmental, socio-cultural and economic standpoints? Many believe that a community-based approach to tourism (one that is advocated by our team at CBT Vietnam), where the development is managed collectively by the local people is the optimum approach to sustainable tourism development.

It is our hope that as this region’s tourism industry continues to grow, that the local people from both the town and the surrounding villages will be able to work together using a community-based approach to achieve tourism development that is truly sustainable.

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The Power of Responsible Travel

On April 7^thCBT Vietnam welcomed nearly a hundred aspiring jetsetters and travel enthusiasts for “The Power of Responsible Travel”. This event featured two of our films including  When the Villagers Left .  There were also talks from five outstanding speakers who shared stories, advice and aspirations for the future, in regards to “responsible travel”. These guest speakers included:

• Mark Harosowksi – Moving Worlds
•  Dr. Peter Williams – Simon Fraser University
• Lo May Ly – From Sapa, Vietnam
•  Erin Butler – G Adventures; and
• Andrew Motiwalla – Discover Corps

This event was a huge success and we were so glad that so many members of our local community were able to come support our project, while taking the time to learn about what they can do to travel responsibly.

So, you may be asking: What is responsible travel? Responsible travel/tourism is a concept that has been defined in different ways by different organizations. Some of these definitions include that responsible travel and tourism is:

 “Travel that aims to minimize tourism's negative impacts on the environment and maximize the positive contributions tourism can make to local communities.” 
– The Centre for Responsible Travel (CREST)

 “An approach to the management of tourism, aimed at maximising economic, social and environmental benefits and minimising costs to destinations. Simply put, Responsible tourism is tourism 'that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit.” 
– The City of Cape Town

“About creating more meaningful experiences for travellers by connecting them to the local culture and the natural beauty of host communities around the world.  It is also about ensuring the communities hosting travellers benefit from tourism – through building skills, creating jobs and opportunities – all while protecting local natural and cultural integrity”. 
– The International Centre for Responsible Travel Canada

 

So, what can you do to be a Responsible Traveler?

- Choose businesses that take initiatives to protect our environment

-Choose business that employ local people and create jobs for women

-Be a conscious shopper and purchase goods from local businesses

-Chose businesses that respect human rights

-Take action to protect the local natural environment (save water and recycle when possible, do not litter ect.)

-Do not participate in activities that put wildlife at risk

-Observe and respect the local culture and customs

-Research and choose your volunteer travel experiences wisely

-Learn as much as possible about your destination before you arrive!

We would like to thank our wonderful community members again for attending our event and we encourage everyone to learn about how they can use “the power of responsible travel” to create positive social, economic, and environmental benefits for our world.

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Community-Based Tourism & The UN Sustainable Development Goals

What are the sustainable development goals?

In September 2015, the United Nations launched the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. This agenda proposes that all countries work together to achieve 17 sustainable development goals (SGDs) over the next 15 years. The goals, which UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon refers to as “a to-do list for people and planet” relate to addressing the developmental needs of those in both developed and developing countries to ensure that “no one is left behind”.  

Tourism as a tool?

In order for this ambitious agenda to be accomplished, the UN has called for all sectors to begin on a pathway to sustainable development. Ban Ki-moon has asserted that tourism will be a critical tool for promoting the achievement of the SGDs stating: “Tourism helps people to develop a variety of skills. As a service sector with cross-cutting impact on agriculture, construction or handicrafts, tourism creates millions of jobs and business opportunities. Its capacity to lift people from poverty, promote gender empowerment and help protect the environment has made it a vital tool for achieving positive change in communities across the world”.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization states that the specific SGD's that they aim to address through their work are:

• Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
•  Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
• Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

CBT and the SGD’s

The call to action for the tourism industry to assist with the achievement of the SGD's is very clear. As tourism students, we are proud to be involved with CBT Vietnam, as it is a project that is based on the values that are apparent in the SGD's, including environmental protection, empowering women, and inclusive growth for all.

As the sustainable development agenda enters its first year, we hope that new partnerships can be formed and that communities worldwide are able to receive the benefits that sustainable tourism can bring!

To learn more about the UN's SGDs click here: 

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics/sustainabledevelopmentgoals

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A dream come true

Today at our weekly meeting I learnt the most amazing news; I will be joining the team in Vietnam! When I first heard the news, I was in shock. I just smiled and thanked our teacher sponsors Chris Carnovale and Stephanie Wells. As the night continued the news started to sink in. I was going to go to Vietnam! While writing this blog post I have cried, danced around my room and smiled like an idiot. I am so happy and excited. It is a dream come true. I am so honoured and thankful to have been chosen to be part of this project.

In February, I discovered that Capilano University was accepting applicants for the CBT Vietnam Project. I applied but I was doubtful that I would make it because there were so many amazing applicants. At the end of February, I learnt I had made it into the project team as the backup. I was super excited for such a life changing opportunity. However, after last night's announcement, I have had to dramatically change gears. Planning, rescheduling and preparing have taken a new priority.

Last year, I went to an information session at Capilano University for the Tourism Department. The reason I went was to learn a little more about the Outdoor Recreation Management Program I had just been accepted into. At first, I didn't pay to much attention to the other presentations but then a video came on about a community tourism training project in Vietnam. The video blew me away. After just 3 minutes the project stole my heart.

Emily is a first year Outdoor Recreation Management student at Capilano University. 

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