Community-Based Tourism contributes to Income Increase & Confidence Enhancement for Ethnic Minority Women in Bac Ha district CBT Bac Ha

PERIOD: From 2019- 2021

INTRODUCTION                                                                     

CBT Bac Ha project derives from the Gender-Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Vietnam to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, with a specific focus on ethnic minority women.

KEY PARTNERS

• District People Committees of Bac Ha; Tourism Information Centre, Culture and Information Division of Bac Ha district, and Women’s union of Bac Ha district.
• Tour Operators/ Travel Agencies.
• Centre for tourism promotion, KOTO, Vocational school, etc.

OBJECTIVES

1. Increases in income for selected households in selected communes of Bac Ha through the development of a CBT model;
2. The capacities of CBT groups have been developed to manage their operations, market their CBT products and cooperate with travel companies;
3. Women have enhanced their economic power and agency and have a stronger voice within their families and communities.

APPROACH

• Develop market based and pro-poor value chains, Market System Development;
• Participatory process involving communities, tourism companies, tourism experts and local authorities in the development of community based tourism;
• Skill and knowledge development to support tourism communities provide high-quality products and services;
• Mainstream Economic, Environmental, Social and Cultural sustainability dimensions in project interventions;
• Promote People – Private – Public Partnership for the development and marketing of tourism;
• Advocate government authorities to offer enabling policies for the development of tourism.
• Capacity building to provide market-responsive services
• Communication – Promoting market connection

KEY RESULTS

A sub-project undertaking a market systems development approach to mobilize stakeholders with the essential skills and knowledge for helping women and communities improve business efficiency as well as increase economic and social benefits when they enter the tourism market:

• At least 250 women secure jobs and increased income by providing CBT services;
• At least 200 women have improved confidence and regularly participate in social and community activities;
• At least 200 husbands/fathers of women participate in CBT cooperative groups and all residents in CBT hamlets recognize women’s role in the household economy and community development;
• At least 1,000 persons report improved livelihoods as a direct result of increased income from CBT services provision.