Training to improve the responsibility of the tourism industry in wildlife conservation

This is a project organized by the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the representative of the CITES Convention of Vietnam at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Tourism of Quang Ninh province with the aim of updating knowledge, enhancing responsibility for tour guides, travel agencies, accommodation units, tourist attractions and shopping places; to promote communication work to help change tourists' behavior, reduce demand for consumption and sale of products from wild animals.

The opening ceremony of the training course was attended by Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa - Vice Principal of the School, MSc. Vu Thi Hanh - Head of the Department of Accommodation Management and Tourism Services, Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Tourism, Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Project Coordinator and nearly 100 students. Lecturers included Dr. Pham Quy Ty - former Deputy Minister of Justice, Dr. Le Khac Quyet - Deputy Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Endangered Species Conservation, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long - Head of the Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training course, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa - Vice Principal of the School mentioned the position and strong development of Ha Long tourism in recent years as well as the sensitivity of the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism in training human resources for the tourism industry. Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thi Minh Hoa also highly appreciated the support of USAID and CITES - international sponsors for this meaningful activity.

Next, Ms. Vu Thi Hanh - Head of the Department of Accommodation and Tourism Services Management, Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Tourism delivered a welcome speech to the training course. She emphasized that the development of tourism in Quang Ninh province is always closely linked with the protection of the ecological environment as well as actively contributing to species conservation activities, towards sustainable development. In addition, on behalf of the agency managing the tourism industry's human resources, Ms. Vu Thi Hanh affirmed that she will join hands with tourism service businesses and tour guides to participate in communication to reduce demand for consumption and illegal trade of wild animals.

Within the framework of two days of serious study with enthusiastic sharing from experts and lecturers, nearly 100 trainees of the training course had access to a very useful amount of knowledge, practically serving the tourism industry. Lecturer, Dr. Le Khac Quyet helped trainees update basic knowledge about ecosystems, biodiversity and wildlife that need to be preserved in Vietnam; discussed the direct and indirect impacts of the tourism industry on the current ecosystem. Dr. Pham Quy Ty provided trainees with information on administrative and criminal sanctions under current Vietnamese law for violations of wildlife protection. Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long provided trainees with an overview of the impacts of the tourism industry on the protection of ecosystems and wildlife.

In addition, experts from USAID also shared extremely positive and interesting information with the students of the class: Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - project coordinator helped students have an overview of the current state of wildlife exploitation in the world and in Vietnam and cited evidence of the problem of illegal trafficking of wildlife products through tourism channels. In addition, Ms. Nguyen My Ha - behavior change communication expert of the Project also shared useful information with students about the effects and power of communication in changing consumer behavior.

The training course ended after two working days with effective sharing between lecturers, experts and trainees, and at the same time opened up new close connections between members who share the same concern for wildlife protection. Trainees have made initial changes in their awareness, roles and responsibilities as well as those of businesses and the tourism industry towards protecting ecosystems in general and wildlife in particular.