18626 brief update of STDP development activities

AND BRIEF UPDATE OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE PNKB NP REGION CRITICAL ISSUES AND RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE PNKB NP REGION Tourism relevant Sust

AND BRIEF UPDATE OF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE PNKB NP REGION CRITICAL ISSUES AND RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE PNKB NP REGION

Tourism relevant

Sustainable

planning and

management for

tourism

 Lack of comprehensive and integrated planning and management

 Insufficient or lack of regulations, processes and policies for tourism development and investment

 Preparation of the STDP that provides an integrated planning and management approach for tourism development for the Corezone and the Bufferzone of the PNKB NP Region

 More collaborative and integrated planning required during the implementation of the Provincial SEDP

 Develop policies which ensure a part of tourism revenue will go to conservation and community development

Sustainable

visitor numbers

and tourism

economics

 Insufficient information about visitor figures and tourism flows

 Lack of information on visitor behaviour and visitor satisfaction

 Insufficient data on tourism economics and lack of data on social and environmental impacts of tourism

 Too ambitious tourism growth forecasts

 Tourism too heavily focuses on only a few areas

 Establish a visitor monitoring system and undertake regular behaviour and satisfaction surveys

 Research, collect, share and analyse tourism data regularly

 Develop a set of sustainable indicators that measure the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism

 Forecast tourism growth based on sustainability goals not on quantitative perceptions

 More even and appropriate dispersion of tourism through the region

Tourism

marketing

 Insufficient or lack of tourism marketing and promotional activities

 Lack of collaborative promotion of the destination - PNKB NP Region

 Prepare a destination marketing strategy and an action plan

 Collaborate on marketing and promotional activities, especially public-private partnerships

 Assign responsibilities for marketing and promotional activities

 Implement marketing and promotional activities

Tourism product

development

 Relative low quality and lack of tourism attractions

 Lack of quality tourism activities

 General lack of a diversity of tourism products

 Not always based on strong market information

 Insufficient or lack of community participation and

 Prepare tourism site assessments and assess feasibility of developing tourism activities and attractions

 Prepare a tourism product development strategy

 Focus tourism product development on quality objectives and not quantity objectives

 Diversify the range of available tourism products according to visitor

 Insufficient or lack of business sector investments

 Current products still not distinctly featuring the special and unique features of the region

 Lack of comprehensive product development strategy

markets

 Engage the communities in developing community based tourism activities

 Engage the business sector to invest and develop activities and attractions

 Strengthen the authorities’ understanding of tourism product development and establish regulations and policies to monitor the tourism activities and attractions

Tourism training

and human

resource

development

 Insufficient competence in sector specific skills for all main stakeholder groups: – private and public sector, the Park and local communities

 Assess the sector specific tourism training needs

 Implement tourism training programmes

Natural, historical

and cultural

heritage and

significance

 Lack of a comprehensive management plan for PNKB

NP including site-specific planning assessments

 No periodic reporting in place to confirm UNESCO WHS

 Implementation of the STDP

 Initiation of reporting protocol (part of the monitoring plan)

Tourism

information and

interpretation

 Insufficient or lack of tourism information and interpretation of the natural, historical and cultural heritage on heritage and conservation values

 Design and initiate a comprehensive information and interpretation strategy

Environmental

management

 Lack of standards for ensuring environmental management

 Lack of awareness

 Lack of an environmental management system

 Lack of required protocols for monitoring and evaluation

 Assess environmental management needs for tourism investments

 Strengthen regulations and policies regarding environmental impact assessments for tourism investments

 Any tourism development needs to contribute to the conservation objectives

of the region

 Regularly monitor and evaluate environmental management procedures

 Organise “Environment Week” and Workshops/seminars on “sustainable tourism” for community and stakeholders

Sustainable

tourism

infrastructure

development

 Lack of a comprehensive sustainable tourism infrastructure development plan and strategy

 Insufficient or lack of a process for infrastructure development

 Ad-hoc infrastructure development

 Development and initiation of a sustainable tourism infrastructure plan and strategy

 Clearly allocated zoning for tourism infrastructure projects

 Strengthen regulations and policies regarding tourism infrastructure development

 Provide a process for applications for infrastructure development

Livelihoods and

poverty

reduction

 Lack of awareness and appreciation of the potential and opportunities to support local poverty reduction through tourism development

 Tourism activities are currently concentrated in only a few areas thus limiting the potential spread of tourism related benefits throughout the region

 Integrate local communities in tourism planning

 Engage the communities in developing community based tourism activities

 Create awareness about tourism in relevant communities

 Develop a support structure for communities to assist in developing tourism

BRIEF UPDATE OF DEVELOPMENTACTIVITIES IN THE PNKB NP REGION

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The implementation plan has become effective with the approval of the PPC of Quang Binh at the end of 2010 The implementation activities are structured in following three planning periods:

Short Term Planning: Year 1 - 3 (up to 2012)

The STDP implementation will focus on:

 High Priority Development Activities

 Creating a Comprehensive Framework for STDP

Implementation

Medium Term Planning: Year 3 - 5 (up to 2015)

The STDP implementation will focus on:

 Intermediate Development Actions

 Realising Planning Objectives

 Directing Development Towards Planning Goals

Long Term Planning: Year 5 – 10 (up to 2020)

The STDP implementation will focus on:

 Achieving the Planning Goals

 Policies and Planning Directions for Achieving Longer-termed Development Vision

# Activity Responsi ble Timeframe and Implementation Progress

1 Site Visitor Management Plan for

Phong Nha Cave, Tien Son Caves

and Phong Nha Visitor Centre

GIZ and KfW In 2010, GIZ has supported to develop a cave redevelopment plan and a visitor

management system for the Phong Nha Cave tour – including the Dong Tien Son Cave (Dry Cave) that:

-regulate the visitor flows to the caves especially during the high season and strictly limit tour boats in the cave and at the cave entrance areas as well as to develop clear guidelines and procedures for tour boat operators so visitor flows can be regulated

-establish an hourly carrying capacity for the cave, - clearly define walking routes through the cave,

-recommend to enhance and upgrade the lighting in the cave

-improve the quantity and quality of the information and interpretation materials about the show caves

KfW to assist with investigating the potential to develop an interpretation centre at the entrance of the cave and funding as part of the visitor centre construction –

infrastructure development

The cave redevelopment plan is currently used as guidance for ADB investment in infrastructure development in Tien Son cave The implementation is now at the biding stage

Operation of high quality tourism product

2 Visitor monitoring survey for Phong

Nha Cave, Tien Son Caves and

Phong Nha Visitor Centre

GIZ/KfW Not yet done A regular visitor monitoring survey to assess the quality of the visitor

experience needs to be set up and implemented This is supposed to be combined with Activity 1

Regular survey

3 Conceptual redevelopment of the

Visitor Information Centre KfW Ongoing

The redevelopment concept paper for the visitor centre should include improvement of the quantity and quality of the information and interpretation materials, investigation

of a potential business model, active promotion and integration of the visit centre as

Operation of high quality tourism product

part of the Phong Nha Cave experience.

4 Site Visitor Management Plan for

Eight Volunteers Cave

NP and ADB Done Walking routes (from the temple and the cave site), parking area are defined and

in place Tourism facilities and services are improved with better interpretation materials and professional interpretation The ADB Mekong tourism project is going to invest to construct a service area near the parking area

The PPC authorized the PNKB NP to prepare a site management plan This should include environmental management systems for waste collection and disposal and visitor-monitoring system to assess site specific tourism flows Investigation is needed for the potential of developing a walking opportunity to provide an additional

experience on the site and to ease the visitor flows around the site

Operation of high quality tourism product

5 Trekking product development in

During the period from 2010 – April 2012, the park has surveyed and developed one trekking route to Hang En Other trekking routes have been marked and planned for survey such as Sinh ton Valley, Bamboo Valley, Hang Toi, Me Bong Con and Hang Vom, Hang Son Doong, A Rem community and surrounding caves Nevertheless, guidelines and operating procedures and management system for the trekking routes have not been fully and well developed For the recently opened route, environmental impact mitigations, carrying capacities assessment, and interpretations materials are still missing or completed

Product development support

Business development and operations

6 Walking, trekking and biking route

development in the Bufferzone Local tour operator Ongoing

Two trekking and biking routes have been developed and operated by local tour operators like Oxalis and Phong Nha Farmstay at Bong Lai – Phu Dinh and Rao Con – Son Trach in 2011 However, involvement of local communities is limited because the sites are operational only in summer season while the target market groups who are European visitors usually come more often in rainy or winter time Tourism facilities and services are still poor at the sites and the tour operators have to manage all

themselves Currently, there are around 3 households who are convinced to involve in the activity to provide resting places and probably some local food No homestay overnight has been realized so far

Business development and operations

There are not yet any development guidelines for the walking, trekking and biking route routes, management system available for the walking, trekking and biking route that include the community, environmental impact mitigations, carrying capacities, and interpretations

7 Water-based product development

in the PNKB NP/ Bufferzone NP Ongoing

During the period 2010 – 2011, the park has expanded activities in Nuoc Mooc Ecotrail with river-based activities such as kayaking, swimming, river cruising A new boat tour

to Hang Toi combined with a short trekking to Nuoc Mooc ecotrail was developed in June 2011 which has created considerably additional income for the park Adequate training for interpretation services, visitor hosting, and safety rescue has been provided

Business development and operations

8 Adventure caving product

development

NP Ongoing See Activity 5 Phong Nha 1500m and Thien Duong 7.000m are the new cave

exploration tours which are suitable for high-quality and adventure visitors

Caves that should be included for assessment of adventure caving potentials, marking

of the walking routes through the caves are Hang E, Hang Toi, Me Bong con, Hang Vom

& Hang En

Business development and operations

9 Wildlife watching product

development

NP and ADB Ongoing

The ADB Mekong Tourism currently has a focus on existing sites such as the Hatinh Langur viewing area just before the Nuoc Mooc Ecotrail, Primate Rescue Centre and Botanical Garden Investigation of infrastructure requirements such as viewing points and/or platforms has completed The implementation of this activity is currently at the biding stage for construction However, there still need a development of guidelines for wildlife watching

Business development and operations

1

0 Concept development for a tourismoperation at the Primate Rescue

Centre

NP and Cologne Zoo

Not yet done The park has not yet planned to link the center to tourism development

The implementation of this activity should include development of a site-specific operational management plan to ensure safety, visitor guiding guidelines and prevention of impacts on the environment and animals, development of interpretation materials, interpreter training, scheduling, and impact assessment/ monitoring

program and an appropriate visitation schedule with the project managers

Business development and operations

1 Concept development for BotanicalGarden NP See Activity 9

This site is not ranked as high priority for tourism product development in the park

Prepare a concept plan for the Botanical Garden This should include visitor management, trail development, information and interpretation, and potential infrastructure needs such as signage, parking, toilets and staff rooms, development of site-specific interpretation and information, investigation of the opportunity to use PNKB NP staff or people from the community as interpretation guides

Business development and operations

1

2 Concept development for a tourismoperation at the Bamboo Valley NP Not yet done See Activity 5 This activity receives a lower priority for development

The route and surrounding sites have been already marked and planned for assessment surveys in mid 2012 upwards In theory, a proposal for development of this kind of eco trekking route will be drafted, consulted with relevant line department and finally submitted to the PPC for approval The proposal should take a careful review of investment plan for the valley on their impact on the biodiversity of the area and a complete site assessment to determine an appropriate level of tourism product and infrastructure development that would meet the demands of the market while ensuring environmental protection and conservation values

Investment mobilisation

Commerce development actives

1

3 Concept development for Gao Forest NP Not yet done See Activity 5 This activity receives a lower priority for development

The concept development proposal should include visitor management, trail development, information and interpretation, and potential infrastructure needs such

as signage, parking, toilets and staff rooms, development of site-specific interpretation and information, investigation of the opportunity to use PNKB NP staff or people from the community as interpretation guides

Product design

Activity preparation

1

4 Concept development for U Bo Peak NP Not yet done See Activity 5 This activity receives a lower priority for development Implement

activities

1

5 Site development for Thac Mo Waterfalls Local authorities  Not yet done

This site is not in the bufferzone but it’s located in the plan-to-develop tourism routes

Business development

for the region It would be a plus for creation activities and operations 1

6

Maintenance and extension of

Nuoc Mooc Spring Eco Trail

NP Ongoing See activity 7

Maintenance of the trail is taken periodically and irregularly after heavy rains or floods

Ongoing support as needed 1

7 Monitor development of planned HCM Museum NP This project is invested by the Ministry of National Defense, however, it has been given

a halt at the construction stage and the building has been left unfinished

Monitor

1

8 Development of minor tourism sites for driving route development Local authorities Not yet done

The sites include: Cha Lo Cave (including viewing area from the Highway into the valley), Bai Dinh Historical Site, En Cave/Heavens Gate near Cha Lo and Hill 37, Than Dinh Mountain, Khe Gat Airfield

Site development should include: Tidy up the site and potentially provide small-scale infrastructure such as toilets, develop site-specific interpretation and information about the region, develop the site as part of a tourism route development, raise awareness in the local community about tourism and supporting services such as refreshments, meals and souvenirs

Product development

Product development support

1

9 CBT product development in the PNKB NP NP and KfW Not yet done This activity becomes low priority

The sites include A Rem and Ruc villages

Activity implementatio n

2

0 Chay Lap CBT product development ADB, tour operator

and local communi ties

Ongoing

The ADB project is trying to make the CBT activities available to day-visitors and identify additional opportunities for investment to provide more households with tourism related earning Skills and language training and tourism awareness activities have been conducted by ADB Mekong tourism project for local residents involved in tourism services to improve hospitality However, not much improvement has been realized All in all, the Chay Lap CBT needs a professional manager to run the business

There are currently 2 tour operators who volunteer to cooperate to manage the promoting and selling as well as support the operation of CBT activities such as biking, walking to other villages, fishing and kayaking

networking links for CBT expansion

The new investment by ADB in farmstay housing will be completed and handed over to the community in Mid 2013 However, the project is facing a difficulty in selection of the beneficiary due to its procedure and regulations

2

1 CBT product development in the Bufferzone KfW and local

communi ties

Not yet done See Activity 6 This becomes a low priority Support

business development and operations 2

2 CBfT in the Bufferzone ADB, KfW,GIZ, local

communi ties

Ongoing See Activity 6 and 23

With implementation of value chain intervention strategy, the production of local products to be linked to the tourism supply chain will be supported The intervention also includes support and integration of communes and villages in human resource development programmes

GIZ has started a pilot CbT project in Dan Hoa and Trong Hoa communes, Minh Hoa district This project was planned for 3 phases (i sensitation, ii product development including capacity building and iii contracting) out of which so far the first phase was completed by September 2012 It includes the implementation of the first two steps of

‘site assessment’ and ‘community awareness raising’ in the two pilot communes of Trong Hoa and Dan Hoa, Minh Hoa district Phase II will cover a first pilot CbT implementation in the two pilot villages of Trong Hoa until September 2013 This will include a series of intervention steps of stakeholder engagement, local organisation, product development and human resources development

Support business development and operations

2

3 Tourism Value Chain Analysis for the PNKB NP Region GIZ Completed

In December 2011, A SWOT analysis was carried out during a tourism value chain analysis workshop with participation of all relevant stakeholders that looked at each of the functions of the tourism Through the Tourism Value Chain Analysis workshop in December 2011, an upgrading strategy was derived with a medium term vision for upgrading the tourism value chain as well as the main areas of intervention through which the defined objectives will be achieved This is supposed an internal strategy paper for intervention of the project and its partners, additionally to the STDP

Expansion of activities

Upscaling and replication

Recommendations for intervention include i institutional strengthening, ii public and private dialogue and cooperation, iii destination management, iv innovative financing schemes, v improvements in the quality of tourism products, vi development of new tourism products in the buffer zone of the national park and vii marketing and branding

1.2 Development activities for tourism marketing and promotion

1 Marketing and Promotion Strategy

and Action Plan for the PNKB NP

Region

NP and ADB Not yet done

This should include: comprehensive market analysis (based on visitor monitoring survey), positioning and branding strategy (working together with the Quang Binh Province and VNAT), development of marketing and distribution channels and a comprehensive action plan

Ongoing monitoring and refinement

2 Visitor monitoring survey for Phong

Nha Cave, Tien Son Caves and

Phong Nha Visitor Centre

NP and ADB Not yet done

In April 2012, GIZ has supported to conduct a tourism baseline analysis Still this analysis did not give a focus on visitor monitoring at the caves but for the hospitality sector A regular visitor monitoring survey is needed to set up and implement to assess the quality of the visitor experience

Regular survey

local authoriti es

Not yet done

The region should need a branding strategy that includes a logo design and slogan for WHS tourism This should be used for all the marketing collateral, media and

interpretation signage

Continued branding activities

Branding expansion

4 Development of marketing

collateral for the PNKB NP Region NP, KfW and GIZ Ongoing

Consistent marketing collaterals have been developed accordingly to new product

Review and update

as required