Public-Private Dialogues on the Development of Community-Based Tourism in the Buffer Zone of My Son Sanctuary World Heritage Site
My Son with the technical support of the ILO has become a model of poverty reduction through tourism development and of attaching benefits and preservation of local people with World Heritage Site. From benefiting zero income from the Heritage Site, local people now can create more income through providing services for visitors such as food, accommodation, experiences and local guides. However, the next step development of My Son CBT needs a close collaboration between governmental agencies and tourism-related businesses. A Public-Private Dialgue (PPD) therefore needs to be organised with concrete signed MoUs.
Background
Since My Son holy valley of Cham civilization was recognized as a World Heritage, more than 250,000 visitors annually pass their village to visit My Son World Heritage Archaeological site without spending time and money in the community. Local people did not know what tourism is and how tourism can help them with additional income/jobs. Indeed, local people benefit zero income from the Heritage but need to suffer from traffic and noise and the preservation of the World heritage site prevents local people from using the forest for grazing their cows and other forms of economic benefit.In order to create jobs and income for local people and a model of attaching benefits and preservation of local people with the tourism attractions, the ILO have been supporting My Son to develop community-based tourism since 2012.
In 2013, My Son was considered an interesting model for the new resettlement areas when all the villagers originated from different places with various culture have moved to live in the areas for twenty years. These new habitants have been facing many difficulties in their new life that causes to challenges in the heritage preservation of the government. However, tourism development for these habitants that helps preserve the heritage in sustainable manner need a closer collaboration between the government and businesses. Therefore, a Private - Public Dialogue technically supported by the ILO and collaboration with UNESCO on promoting a close collaboration between governmental organisations and tourism businesses has been organised in My Son on 13 November 2015.
Objectives
- To promote a close collaboration between governmental organizations and tourism businesses (private and public sector) in tourism development for poor communities in the buffering zone of the World Heritage Site of My Son in order to create more jobs and income for locals living in the area.