Mai Chau district seeks to enhance tourism

A corner of a community tourism village in Mai Chau seen from above, where the peaceful space is being preserved by the locality in parallel with tourism development.

However, when delving deeper into the industry structure and service quality, a different reality gradually emerges: Mai Chau tourism develops rapidly but not deeply, tourism products are still monotonous, infrastructure is not yet synchronized... As competition for destinations becomes increasingly fierce, tourism is forced to break out of the "shirt" of primitive community tourism to shape itself as a destination with stature, civilization and identity.

Growth has not gone hand in hand with depth

Mai Chau currently has 203 accommodation establishments, including 4 high-end resorts, 8 hotels, 158 community guesthouses, mainly concentrated in familiar locations such as Lac village, Pom Coong, Pa Co, Hang Kia... The diversity of accommodation types is a welcome sign, but also shows that the simple homestay model is still dominant. This model has existed for decades and is now gradually showing its obsolescence.

Many tourists who have been to Mai Chau share that they are impressed with the natural landscape and local culture, but are disappointed by the poor service experience. Apart from a few specialties such as bamboo rice, wine, brocade, etc., tourists have almost no other attractive options. Experiential activities are also repetitive and lack depth. Meanwhile, high-end resorts, although creating a highlight in quality, are mostly operated separately, lacking connection with the local community.

"The reality is that tourism products are not yet diverse and their competitiveness is not high. We are trying to overcome this by expanding agricultural and eco-tourism, combining with the OCOP program and regional specialties," admitted Mr. Ngan Van Tuan, Deputy Head of the Mai Chau District Tourism Steering Committee.

In addition, the transport infrastructure between tourist destinations is still limited, especially in highland areas such as Hang Kia and Pa Co. Although some projects have been approved for investment, their implementation is slow. Of the 30 approved tourism projects surveyed, only 12 have been put into operation, with the implemented capital reaching only about 183/1,140 billion VND of the initial commitment. The biggest barriers are site clearance, investor capacity and lack of synchronous planning.

"We are ready to dialogue with investors to resolve difficulties. But we must also say frankly that some investors lack experience, have weak resources, and do not coordinate closely with localities in resolving land and environmental procedures, leading to prolonged implementation time," added the Deputy Head of the District Tourism Steering Committee.

In addition, the human resources for tourism are mainly local people, lacking proper training. The officials in charge at the commune level often hold multiple positions, and the businesses are small and unprofessional. This leads to uneven service quality, making it difficult to retain and make an impression on tourists.

The "knot" is gradually being untied.

Nestled in the mountains of the Northwest, Mai Chau valley is like a gentle picture with traditional stilt houses hidden among the endless green of rice fields and bamboo groves. In the early morning, mist drifts through the houses, covering the village in a hazy veil, making the scene seem like it came out of a fairy tale. The cool, gentle air, carrying the characteristic breath of the highlands, makes anyone who has been there unforgettable.

Mai Chau is beautiful - no one can deny that. But to turn that beauty into a sustainable economic sector, Mai Chau is removing "bottlenecks" through specific and drastic actions.

First, the district focuses on reforming the management agency, identifying the leading role of the State in removing obstacles for investors. Slow-moving projects are being reviewed, and if there is no real progress, they will be recommended for revocation. The district also proactively accompanies capable enterprises to speed up the implementation progress.

"We prioritize projects with high added value, exploiting cultural identity, protecting the environment and creating jobs for people" - Comrade Ngan Van Tuan emphasized.

Regarding tourism products, the district focuses on developing typical and branded products such as brocade, ethnic cuisine, clean agricultural products, etc. At the same time, expanding the type of experiential tourism associated with the OCOP program, new rural areas. Festivals such as "Xen Muong", "Gau Tao" ... will have their content renewed, the quality of organization and professional communication improved to create a widespread effect.

At the same time, the district promotes the development of craft villages, creating opportunities for people to produce sophisticated souvenirs, serving domestic tourists and aiming for export. Connecting tourism with agriculture is also considered a long-term direction, suitable for the local advantages.

But perhaps the most important change is in the people. The district has directed the organization of professional training courses for commune officials, business owners, art troupes, etc. with the motto "doing tourism professionally but not losing the local soul". By 2030, Mai Chau will form a qualified tourism workforce, understanding tourists and knowing how to tell the story of the homeland in an attractive and civilized way.

There are still peaceful villages, traditional stilt houses, and ethnic cultures that have been preserved for generations. But inside that quietness is the determination to develop sustainable tourism, associated with the true value of the land. We believe that when done correctly, this place will become an impressive destination, attracting visitors to come back. Because, in an increasingly hurried world, any place that can maintain peace will become precious.

Minh Vu

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/276/202364/Huyen-Mai-Chau-tim-cach-nang-tam-du-lich.htm