Hanoi(VNA) – The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world’s tourism industry to acomplete halt, including ecotourism activities. However, the fact thatprotected areas are not open to tourists during this time also createsconditions for the natural ecosystem to recover faster, Deputy General Directorof the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Ha Van Sieu has said.

Speaking at a webinarentitled “Management in nature reserves and national parks” jointly held by theVNAT and the Colombian Embassy in Vietnam on September 28, he said it’s timefor managers to come up with solutions to open up protected areas in asustainable way.

The event waspart of collaboration activities under a Memorandum of Understanding on tourismcooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Colombia'sMinistry of Trade, Industry and Tourism this year. It aimed to enhance mutualunderstanding on tourism of the two countries, helping to promote cooperationbetween the two countries.

According to theVietnam Administration of Forestry, Vietnam currently has 33 national parks, 57nature reserves, 13 habitat conservation areas, 53 landscape protection zonesand 9 biosphere reserves. Among them, 61 national parks and nature reservesorganise ecotourism activities.

Vietnam is ranked asthe 16th most biodiversity rich country in the world with a variety of natural ecosystems,species and endemic genetic resources.

The system of special-use forests and protected areas inVietnam is diverse in natural value and cultural tourism resources,facilitating the development of ecotourism. Ethnic minorities living in thebuffer zones of the nature reserves with their unique features also attract theattention of tourists, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Acknowledgingecotourism as the key to poverty reduction and environmental protection,Vietnam has always given priority to its development strategy, Sieu said,adding that it has special significance in the context of tourism developmentafter the COVID-19 pandemic is put under control.

Vietnam's tourismindustry is striving to fully tap the potential to promote the development ofeco-tourism, contributing to tourism recovery and development, and turn Vietnaminto an attractive eco-tourism destination on the world’s tourist map, he said.

The VNAT official alsoemphasised that ecotourism activities have brought many positive results interms of preserving natural ecosystems, preserving and enhancing culturalvalues, increasing incomes for local communities as well as raising awarenessof the community and visitors about conservation efforts.

However, he said, themanagement and exploitation of tourism activities in these areas are stilllimited, while tourism products are still poor, and have not met therequirements of ecotourism.

Participants at thewebinar shared policies and experience in the management of ecotourismactivities in nature reserves and national parks. Ways toexploit natural resources efficiently and sustainably of protected areas forecotourism activities were also discussed at the event./.