Visitors experience organic vegetable farming in Trà Quế Commune, Quảng Nam. Photo vietnamtourism.gov.vn

Ecotourism has been flourishing markedly in the south-central province of Quảng Nam. During the five-day holiday last month, the majority of the 233,000 visitors to the province chose eco-tourism packages.

“Ecotourism” typically focuses both on protecting the natural environment and preserving and supporting local culture. It brings people to immerse themselves in nature while minimizing the ecological impact of the visit. Education about local plant and animal life is often a draw of the trip.

Travellers can experience national parks, mountains, and marine areas, and their tourism dollars often directly fund the area’s conservation. Many ecotourism models also promote cultural immersion, offering income opportunities to families and small local businesses.

In recent years, Quảng Nam has embraced the ecotourism model. The region is adapting rapidly to welcome global travellers to small family-run homestays, ethnic minority villages, and national parks.

Chàm Islands, Quảng Nam Province. Photo:vietnam.travel

The chairwoman of the People's Committee of Tiên Phước District, Trầm Quế Hương, said that in order to form eco-tourism products, in recent years, along with upgrading infrastructure, the district authority supported capital for hundreds of families to restore and develop craft villages that grow native fruit trees, restored ancient architecture, ancient private houses, unique ancient stone walls, and protect the environment.

During the recent long holiday, every day, Lộc Yên ancient village in Tiên Phước welcomed over 500 visitors, the chairwoman said.

Not far from Tiên Phước eco-tourism villages, Lake Phú Ninh eco-tourism area in Phú Ninh District, which is known as the "Blue Pearl" in the Central region of Việt Nam, has an area of ​​more than 23,000 hectares and more than 30 islands surrounded by blue sea water and is an attractive destination for tourists in the summer.

The executive director of Lake Phú Ninh Ecotourism, Huỳnh Tấn Quốc, said that since the beginning of the year, the ecotourism site had welcomed around 300 visitors every day. Especially on weekends, this tourist area welcomed 500-700 visitors.

As for accommodation services, Lake Phú Ninh Ecotourism Area had 45 rooms that were fully booked during holidays and weekends.

According to Phan Xuân Thanh, chairman of Quảng Nam Tourism Association, the province has great potential for both island and inland tourism, and eco-tourism with tangible and intangible cultural values.

The province also has a diverse ecosystem and valuable resources, so it needs to sustainably exploit green tourism products.

Trần Thái Do, director of Silk Sense Hội An River Resort, said that with its pristine beauty, eco-tourism and resorts linked to local culture, the eco-tourism areas in Quảng Nam had great potential to open up many unique and attractive tourism products, and serve as a lever for community tourism to develop.

According to Hồ Quang Bửu, deputy chairman of the Provincial People's Committee [provincial government], the locality identifies tourism as a key economic sector, with the goal of attracting more than 7.6 million visitors this year.

Last month, the province launched the tourism stimulus programme 2024 themed “Quảng Nam – Green Heritage Region”.

Taking place from May to November, the programme aims to lure domestic and international visitors to Quảng Nam, while promoting the image of the province's green tourism.

The programme will be divided into two phases, with the first taking place from May to August, offering various unique tourism products, high quality services and attractive promotions.

In the second phase from September to November, the province will highlight the beauty of the rice ripening season and related festivals, as well as Hội An in flood season, while offering sharp service discounts for tourists.

The Cổng Trời (Heaven Gate) tourist site in Đông Giang District has won a Vietnamese record for the ecotourism area with the most natural waterfalls. VNA/VNS Photo

Quảng Nam is famous in Việt Nam travel map for its cultural and historical values, especially the UNESCO heritages such as Hội An ancient town and Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, Bài Chòi performance art, and Cù Lao Chàm Hội An Biosphere Reserve.

Besides, the province owns several beautiful beaches, river networks, natural and cultural landscapes, hundreds of traditional craft villages, characteristic festivals and local typical cuisine. VNS