Ha Noi looks to develop community-based tourism in suburban areas
VGP – Community-based tourism (CBT) has become popular in many cities and provinces nationwide, but with Ha Noi , which possesses advantages in terms of cultural and historical tourism, CBT is being considered a new direction.
CBT is a tourism model that focuses on exploiting cultural values, lifestyle and cuisine of local indigenous communities.
This trend is growing strongly in the world in the context of tourists’ surging demand for cultural experiences.
Contrary to some types of tourism such as resort and discovery, in CBT, local residents play a central role in guiding tourists to experience their culture, lifestyle and cuisine characteristics, as well as providing other tourism services for visitors.
In Ha Noi, the Old Quarter, craft villages, ancient villages and scenic spots located in residential communities are the areas with great potential for CBT development.
Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed tourists’ travel demand, as they tend to search for tourist destinations by themselves for self-discovery instead of taking part in crowded tours. This is a good opportunity for CBT.
Nguyen Thi Minh Hanh, chief of the Office of the Ha Noi Department of Tourism, said: “Ha Noi always focuses on cultural tourism and craft village tourism. Human resources directly involved in CBT activities are the local residents. These are important links that determine the quality and development of the CBT form.
“In recent years, the department has coordinated with localities to launch many training courses to improve tourism skills for people in tourist destinations, craft villages and ancient villages with great potential for CBT development, including Co Loa commune (Dong Anhdistrict), Huong Son commune (My Duc district), Cuuvillage (Phu Xuyen district) and Lai Xa village (Hoai Ducdistrict).
In 2019 alone, 40 training sessions were organized. With improved skills, local people can convey the local cultural beauties to visitors,” she stated.
From the initial activities, mainly including spontaneous sightseeing and catering services, with the support of the Tourism Department and local authorities, Ha Noi has now developed many attractive CBT models.
The local tourism sector is currently interested in developing tourism in suburban areas, including CBT. It is also a good foundation for this type of tourism to affirm its position and identity, thus contributing to attracting more tourists to the capital city.
By Vien Nhu
