More than 300 delegates from 50 countries attended the first UN Tourism International Conference on Rural Tourism in Quang Nam
On the morning of December 10, at Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) and the People's Committee of Quang Nam province to organize the first International Conference on rural tourism and the second annual meeting of the UN Tourism Best Tourism Village Network from December 9-11, 2024.
The Conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong; Secretary of Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, and more than 300 delegates from 50 countries around the world, representing national and local management agencies of UN Tourism member countries and Vietnam, international organizations, the tourism community, and the private sector.
In particular, the Conference brought together speakers from tourism management agencies of UN Tourism member countries, villages in the UN Tourism Best Tourism Village Network, international organizations, scholars, and researchers in the field of rural tourism.
In his opening speech, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said: Vietnam is an agricultural country, with more than 70% of the population living in rural areas with the advantage of rich rural resources. In recent years, Vietnam has also paid attention to developing unique and attractive types and products of agricultural and rural tourism, capable of attracting domestic and foreign tourists.
Mr. Luong Nguyen Minh Triet - Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee emphasized that this is the first global event of UN Tourism on rural tourism, with the participation of 300 delegates from national and local management agencies of member countries, international organizations, the tourism community and the private sector. The Conference is a valuable opportunity for the province to continue promoting communication and promoting the image of "Quang Nam - Green tourism destination"; promoting close and effective cooperation between Vietnam tourism in general and Quang Nam in particular with UN Tourism and other countries, member organizations, and UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages.
To emphasize the importance and contributions of tourism in promoting rural development, the Conference focused on three main topics: National and local policies to promote rural tourism development; attracting participation and empowering local communities in tourism development; developing tourism products, promoting innovation, and facilitating market access for rural destinations.
According to Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Deputy Secretary-General of UN Tourism, 84% of people living in rural areas are facing many risks such as the aging population, employment, natural disasters, epidemics, etc. However, tourism can solve all these problems; with the rural tourism development model, it will contribute to diversifying the local economy, improving the quality of life of rural people, strengthening the connection between people and the environment, etc.
Also within the framework of the Conference, the 2nd Annual Meeting of the UN Tourism Best Villages Network was held on December 9, 2024, gathering members of the UN Tourism Best Villages Network to build the network's strategic framework and future development orientation.