The ceremony was attended by many tourism experts, travel agencies and research units, sharing practical suggestions for the long-term development orientation of Son Tay Thuong commune.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Editor-in-Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Magazine, affirmed: The magazine is the official media agency of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, with a network of experienced experts and collaborators. We hope to accompany Son Tay Thuong in building a sustainable community tourism model, bringing real value to local people.
Son Tay Thuong commune is a highland commune established on the basis of merging Son Mua, Son Bua and Son Lien communes, with an area of over 122 km2 with about 7,000 people, over 90% of whom are ethnic minorities. Despite many difficulties, this place possesses majestic natural landscapes and unique cultural identity - valuable factors for developing community tourism.
At the meeting, experts agreed that communication plays an important role in spreading cultural values and promoting the development of community tourism.
Dr. Ta Duy Linh, Director of the Institute for Economic Development Research and Tourism, emphasized that journalism is a bridge to help orient awareness, promote image and mobilize resources for localities.
According to him, tourism is a means of community development, where tourism flourishes, the appearance of that place changes from landscape, lifestyle to people's thinking, such as the models of Con Chim (Tra Vinh), Con Ca Ho (Vinh Long) or Thieng Lieng island hamlet (HCMC).
Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Manh Binh San - owner of Lang Nho Tourist Area - said that Son Tay Thuong needs to develop experiential tourism, exploit natural and indigenous cultural values, turn local stories, people, and lives into tourism products so that people become the closest and most authentic "ambassador".
Representing the travel business, Mr. Nguyen Van My - Chairman of Lam Viet Tour - said that the factor that creates success is "differentiation". Son Tay Thuong has waterfalls, natural lakes, and unique OCOP products, but it is necessary to identify its own identity, take advantage of the trend of eco-agricultural tourism, and rely on the community for sustainable development.
Business representatives proposed restoring folk art, organizing performances in villages, learning from successful community tourism models such as Sin Suoi Ho (Lai Chau), and linking with Tra Mi - Mang Den - Son Tay Thuong to form an inter-regional tourism chain.
Mr. Nguyen Dong Hoa - former Deputy General Director of Saigontourist Group - highly appreciated Son Tay Thuong's proactive spirit in seeking cooperation opportunities, and at the same time recommended that the locality needs to be strongly present in cyberspace, bringing images and stories to Google Maps and online tourism platforms.
He also proposed training digital and communication skills for people to become "local storytellers", contributing to spreading the image of his homeland.
The signing ceremony of cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Magazine and Son Tay Thuong Commune is considered an important first step, opening up opportunities for connection between the lowlands and the upper regions. The event affirmed the direction of tourism development associated with cultural conservation, nature conservation and improving people's lives.
With the cooperation of experts, businesses and the media, Son Tay Thuong promises to become a bright spot for community tourism in Quang Ngai - where culture, nature and people blend sustainably.
