Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to organize a regional workshop and structured learning visits on “Community-based collaboration with Hue Tourism College, Lao National Tourism Administration , Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.

Eighteen government officials, private sector and civil society personnel from Yunan Province of the People’s Republic of China, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the workshop.   

The purpose of the workshop was to assess the challenges and opportunities in product development, planning, promotion and management of CBET. It aimed to enhance the capacity of provincial authorities in developing and managing CBET, raise awareness and promote the preservation of the sub-region’s irreplaceable resources, and strengthen sub-regional cooperation and network.

Four officials designed by their respective counties and one resource person delivered lectures and facilitated discussions.

The program comprised of four inter-related modules. Module 1″Basic concept of CBET and Linkage to Poverty Reduction and Biodiversity Protection” introduced national polices, programs and action plans on CBET as well as related inernational and regional practices. Module 2″CBET Product Development” guided participants in the conduct of feasibility assessment effectively and efficiently. It likewise examined the degree and extent of involvement of local communities. Module 2 “CBET Planning and Promotion” discussed the supply and demand factors for CBET and introduced CBET tools. Module 4 “CBET Management” trained participants to monitor the impacts of CBET on local communities and the practices fro sustainable development. In this module, the participants shared knowledge on strengthening multi-sector cooperation among stakeholders involved in CBET.

Three structured leaning visits were organized in Vietnam, Lao PDR, and Thailand to enhance the participants’ understanding and help them to apply the acquired knowledge.

The evaluations of the workshop show that the program accomplished its objectives and met the participants’ expectations. Networking, gaining knowledge of CBEt trend in the GMS and practices, differences in managing CBET in the GMS, site visits, and a better understanding of the contribution of CBET to poverty alleviation were highlighted as the most significant learning in the workshop. Recommendations and suggestions were also made to improve the workshop.