Lower-income communities have been placed in the core of a tourism programme scheduled to begin in 2010 to develop the north-western mountainous provinces into an attractive destination.
The project was announced at a seminar in Lao Cai Province on December 17 under the sponsorship of the non-profit SNV of the Netherlands, pooling 24 travel agents from northern mountainous provinces.
The project aims to tap the region’s superb natural views, richness in heritage and local cultural diversity. It will also encourage poor communities to take part in tourist services, thus helping them to make a living with new jobs and higher incomes.
The participating businesses approved a programme of action calling to further the exchange of information and experiences between regional and non-regional travel agents and administrations as well as setting up a strong alliance within the sector.
The businesses also emphasises the diversification of tourism products, such as establishing new tours and high-skilled human resource development programmes in the interest of both the hospitality industry and poverty reduction.