Hoi An Tourism Information Centre opens, highlighting ILO-UNESCO partnership

QUANG NAM (ILO News) – A new tourism information centre in Viet Nam’s ancient town of Hoi An was open to tourists on 22 June as a result of the partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The two agencies, together with the EU-funded Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Programme, have supported Hoi An to turn a ticket office into the full-scale Hoi An Tourism Information Centre with an innovate and culturally appropriate design, trained staff and a full guideline for its operation.

The event is part of the Quang Nam Heritage Festival between 22 and 26 June.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, ILO Viet Nam Director Gyorgy Sziraczki and the representative of local government officially open Hoi An Tourism Information Centre. © ILO

Speaking at the ceremony which was also attended by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said the activity showed "the spirit of safeguarding heritage and promoting it, the spirit of local engagement and community development, and the spirit of partnership for sustainable development".

A Ca Tu ethnic woman, who is an ILO project beneficiary, presents UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova with a gift - a brocade product she made with the support of the ILO. Such handicraft products are now available at the new Hoi An Tourism Information Centre. © ILO

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova (left), ILO Viet Nam Director Gyorgy Sziraczki (centre) and UNESCO Representative in Viet Nam Katherine Muller-Marin (right) celebrate the partnership between the two organizations. The UNESCO global leader is expected to meet with ILO Director-General Guy Ryder on 5 July. © ILO

The newly upgraded Tourism Information Centre provides tourists and visitors with a broad overview of all aspects of Hoi An’s culture and history, consider sightseeing options, and enjoy and purchase signature handicraft products, handmade by skilful local artisans.

According to ILO Country Director Gyorgy Sziraczki, the centre will help bridge providers with the market, bring tourists to communities and enable the poor in the mountainous districts to produce and sell locally-made products.

“It shows how tourism can help the local communities get out of poverty and lead a better life,” he said.

Hoi An, a South-east Asian trading port between the 15th and 19th century, is a world heritage and now a major attraction in the centre of Viet Nam.