Cao Bang (VNA) –Measures to promote sustainable tourism development in the northern mountainousprovince of Cao Bang through UNESCO global geopark model were discussed by domesticand foreign scientists at an international conference held in the locality onMay 8.

According to Vice Directorof the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism’s Travel ManagementDepartment Pham Le Thao, the UNESCO recognition of Vietnam’s Non Nuoc Cao BangGeopark as a global park is significant to tourism development in the country.

Cao Bang province shouldfully take advantage of both domestic and international cooperation to turnitself into an attractive destination based on the geopark’s outstanding characteristics,she suggested.

Meanwhile, Dr Jutta Weberfrom the Germany’s Bergstrasse-Odenwald Geopark and Vice President andCoordinator at the Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific Prof. IbrahimKomoo, shared the same viewpoint as they laid stress on the significance toraise public awareness of geological protection while developing new tourismproducts.

They said that local residents should know how to develop tourism withoutinfluencing the environment.

Participants at the eventshared initiatives to promote local staples and gender equality, as well asexperience in sustainable tourism development in global geoparks in Tanzania,Thailand, Iran and Dong Van Karst Plateau, and protecting values of geological heritagesand caves.

Vice Chairman of theprovincial People’s Committee Nguyen Trung Thao said that the province hopes toreceive further support from competent ministries and sectors, Vietnam NationalCommission for UNESCO, UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and domestic and foreignexperts to develop Non Nuoc Cao Bang global geopark.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang is about 300 kilometres from Hanoi. Coveringover 3,000 sq.km, the geopark is home to fossils, ocean sediment, volcanicrocks, minerals and karst landscapes, which can give researchers insight intothe 500 million years of the earth’s history.

The park is well known for its rich biodiversity and many indigenous species offauna and flora.

The site includes famous destinations such as Thang Hen Lake, Phia Oacecological site and Nguom Ngao Cave.

The geopark was first established in 2015. In November 2016, theprovince People’s Committee submitted a dossier to UNESCO to seek the globalgeopark classification. A UNESCO survey team came to the province in July 2017to assess the park’s values and conservation work.

"Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark offers numerousoutstanding historical and archaeological sites and a rich cultural heritage ofnational and international significance, lending the area prominence in Vietnamand providing a strong basis for the tourism industry as it attracts largenumbers of domestic and international visitors,” read the UNESCO statement. “Inaddition, numerous international and national geosites such as fossil sites,geological boundaries, mineral deposits and intrusive, volcanic and sedimentaryrocks are well preserved."

This is the second UNESCO-recognised global geopark in Vietnamafter Dong Van Karst Plateau in the northern province of Ha Giang, whichreceived the honour in 2010.-VNA