RAINFORESTS OF NORTHERN VIETNAM


These two ecotourism projects are in very different areas but have somecommonalities:

* Small groups. Groups should be no larger than the area visited can sustainwithout harm. Most groups are no larger than 16 people. It is difficult to visitwith a local family with more than 8 or 10 guests without overwhelming thefamily. On the rainforest program, 8 is a more appropriate size. With largergroups it becomes difficult to hear the leader in the rainforest and difficultto stay quiet enough to see birds and other animals.

* Local Knowledge. To gain local knowledge of an area, the tour designershould visit the proposed area for the tour. He should meet with thelocaltourist boards, inspect hotels, talk with local people and get a good senseof the area.

He can also do research from travel guide books and ask questionson message boards on the Internet. It often works well to have the Japanese tourescort work closely with their local guide in the area they are visiting. Theyessentially co-lead the trip. Trip leaders should prepare reports after eachtrip so that the tour company will know of any changes or problems with service,hotels, restaurants, transportation, etc. and adjust the program accordingly forthe future.

* People to People. Have special personal contacts the guests can meet.Arrange for visits to people's homes so the visitor can see how they live.Arrange for meetings with specialists: depending on the program focus this couldbe an artist, artisan, scientist, news reporter, spokesperson for an NGO(non-governmental organization) such as World Wide Fund for Nature. Thesespecial visits mean alot to guests. They can often be arranged with the help ofyour local guide or the tour operator. Often you can visit their friends or thefamilies of their guides. If you have a special interest tour such asphotography, contact the local photographic society and see if you canarrange a slide show evening with refreshments. Likewise a ski tour couldarrange to ski with local skiers, then go back to a guide's family's mountainlodge for a casual party at the end of the day.

* Buy Local. Buy gifts made from renewable resources such as textiles, craftssuch as basketry. Do not buy articles made from endangered species such asspotted cat furs, turtle eggs, tortoise shell, coral, teak. You should be ableto get guidelines from your country's customs department on what items cannot belegally imported. WWF-Japan can provide you with a list of animal products notto buy. Ask if the product you are buying is made locally. Find out if it ismade by child labor or prison labor and do not buy these products. It isimportant to travel and buy with a conscience.