Khanh Hoa Council for Science & Technology has just examined and approved a research on the current tourism situation, challenges and solutions for sustainable tourism development in Khanh Hoa...
Khanh Hoa Council for Science & Technology has just examined and approved a research on the current tourism situation, challenges and solutions for sustainable tourism development in Khanh Hoa. The study has shown that the tourism environment in Khanh Hoa basically meets development demand.
Over the past years, Khanh Hoa has seen drastic growth in tourism, contributing to the provincial socio-economic development. However, during the period, some problems, including unsustainable elements, have arisen in tourism environment. The study aims to assess the current tourism situation and identify problems that cause negative impacts on the sustainable development of tourism, according to Associate Professor, PhD. Pham Trung Luong, Institute for Environment & Sustainable Development.
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To evaluate the conformity of the environment to the tourism development in Khanh Hoa, the researchers have monitored the water and air environment and conducted a survey on visitors, State management agencies, tourism businesses and services. The data reveal that environmental components are still within acceptable limits.
However, the terrain in some coastal areas, including Nha Trang Beach, is not very gently sloping and even dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Besides, rip currents, which can be hazardous to swimmers, are still found at Bai Dai Beach on Cam Ranh Peninsula. Moreover, there is tourists’ concern over overcharging, traffic pressure and theft.
Tourists’ satisfaction over the social environment is reported not at the highest level. Only 74.4% local tourists and 68% foreigners highly appreciate local residents’ friendliness in Khanh Hoa. 72.8% local visitors and 72.1% of foreigners admit the order and security in Khanh Hoa are secured.
To assure sustainable environment for tourism development, the study has suggested some solutions such as raising awareness of environmental protection mechanism, enforcing environmental protection policies, responding to climate change and coordinating in assuring safe environment for tourism. Besides, it is essential to promote environmentally-friendly models and assure safe and security for tourists.
Regarding to social order and security for tourism development, Khanh Hoa People’s Committee and relevant agencies need to build some models such as tourist police, tourist support volunteers, tourist support centers, self-managed security groups, etc. Other solutions include boosting the application of advanced science and technology in treating and recycling waste from tourism practices; building connection networks among tourism businesses; installing surveillance cameras in places at high risk of theft, overcharging, peddlers’ insistence; providing information about health care, social order and security service; and developing an automatic identification system.
The study is of high practicality for Khanh Hoa tourism, especially in the current period. Solutions are in details and practical for the actual situation in the locality, according to Nguyen Van Thanh, Standing Vice-Chairman of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa Tourism Association.
The study has showed the present tourism situation in Khanh Hoa. The results are considered as a theoretical base for local authorities to take measures to develop environmental protection for sustainable tourism growth, according to Huynh Ky Hanh, Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Science & Technology.
Khanh Ha
Translated by N.T
