On August 2, 2022, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 922/QD-TTg on the rural tourism development program in the new rural area (NTM) construction period 2021-2025. In Quang Tri province, in recent years, rural tourism has been focused on development. Thereby, it has aroused the potential and advantages of rural areas to increase people's income, contributing to the development of the rural economy, building NTM in depth, effectively and sustainably.

Tourists visit Ta Con Airport relic, Huong Hoa district - Photo: TL

Quang Tri currently has more than 600 historical revolutionary relics, relic clusters and scenic spots, of which 479 relics are recognized as provincial relics, 33 relics and relic clusters are recognized as national relics, 4 relics and relic clusters are recognized as special national relics. Along with that, Quang Tri land is endowed by nature with many diverse scenic spots with different types of terrain: forests, mountains, caves, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, seas, islands...

In the province, there are currently 15 traditional occupations, craft villages, traditional craft villages, many farms, ranches with advantages in environment and landscape, initially turning production processes into attractive experiential activities. In addition, combining the value chains of agricultural tourism such as sightseeing, experience associated with culture, cuisine brings a diverse and attractive product system, creating unique nuances.

Based on the available potential and advantages, in recent times, tourism in general and rural tourism in particular in the province have recorded important developments, contributing to creating livelihoods, creating jobs, bringing higher incomes than purely agricultural production activities, gradually improving people's lives, thereby positively impacting the implementation of the local new rural construction program. However, along with the achieved results, the development of rural tourism still faces many difficulties and shortcomings.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hong Phuong said: “The rural tourism models of Quang Tri are still spontaneous, unsystematic, lacking connection and sustainability, so the efficiency is not high, not satisfying the needs of tourists for real experience and shopping; not attracting businesses to invest in systematic tourism development. There is not much connection and cooperation with travel businesses.

In particular, there is no model for developing agricultural and rural tourism associated with OCOP products. In addition, some areas are still stuck with planning issues and procedures for converting agricultural land use to service and tourism land.

Land law does not yet fully regulate policies for combining landscape business and ecotourism under forest canopy; there are no regulations on planning and land use plans for mixed land use on agricultural land...”.

On the other hand, preserving and developing traditional occupations, craft villages, and traditional craft villages associated with agricultural tourism is a difficult task, requiring a long-term vision. Currently, very few families maintain traditional handicrafts. There is no set of criteria to standardize rural tourism products.

Currently, there are no recognized tourist areas or spots in the province, so the implementation of support policies still faces many obstacles. The issue of communication, promotion, and development of rural tourism associated with the program of building new rural areas in a sustainable direction, ensuring the harmony of interests between parties to balance conservation, preservation and development has not been implemented professionally and systematically.

Implementing Decision No. 922/QD-TTg, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 210/KH-UBND dated December 2, 2022 on implementing the rural tourism development program in building new rural areas for the period 2022-2025 in the province.

Accordingly, by 2025, we strive to develop and standardize rural tourism destinations and products; strive to have 1-3 recognized rural tourism destinations in the province associated with the advantages of agriculture, culture, craft villages or local ecological environment.

Promote the development of rural tourism associated with the digital transformation process. Strive for 100% of rural tourism spots to be introduced and promoted. Strive for each NTM district with tourism potential to build at least 1 model of a specific rural agricultural tourism chain...

Developing rural tourism associated with building new rural areas is an inevitable direction to promote the rural economy in the province, improve the material and spiritual life of local people. To complete the set goals, in the coming time, the province will pay attention to effectively implementing mechanisms and policies on rural tourism development.

In particular, focus on building a rural tourism development orientation and integrating and supplementing it in the socio-economic development planning and rural planning. At the same time, guide and create conditions for the formation of enterprises, cooperatives, cooperative groups, and business households to participate in rural tourism development. Promote rural-urban linkages in tourism development, prioritize rural tourism development in places with advantages in resources, connect with dynamic tourism development areas, tourism centers...

Along with that, the province will mobilize, integrate and effectively use resources for rural tourism development such as increasing the mobilization of social resources, funding from international cooperation organizations, investment from enterprises, agricultural cooperation organizations, and community contributions.

Encourage and attract investment in rural tourism development in different locations and environments according to the provisions of law to create a stable source of income from tourism activities to reinvest in the protection of tourism resources. Encourage and call for initiatives, ideas, projects, and creative start-up models in the fields of agriculture, handicrafts associated with rural tourism...

The propaganda, promotion and awareness raising of rural tourism will be focused on through promoting propaganda, raising awareness, changing thinking, knowledge and actions for Party committees, authorities, officials; organizations, individuals doing tourism business; people, communities and tourists on sustainable rural tourism development in building new rural areas. Diversifying and innovating forms and content of rural tourism communication on digital technology platforms through electronic information portals, social networks, newsletters, special topics...

Organizing festivals and tourism connection activities between regions; communicating and promoting rural tourism products at fairs and exhibitions. Along with that, the province will focus on training and capacity building for rural tourism workers; applying technology, promoting digital transformation in rural tourism development; strengthening inter-sectoral coordination, domestic and international cooperation in rural tourism development.

Thanh Le