In order to preserve and promote local heritage values as well as protect specific ecological environment and create motivation for sustainable tourism development among localities within Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark (Dak Nong UGGp), the Geopark Management Board (MB) has selected Ea Po commune (in Cu Jut district) to pilot a community-based tourism (CBT) model associated with Dak Nong UGGp's unique values.

One of the mandatory criteria for a UNESCO Global Geopark is to promote its communities' roles and responsibilities for preserving and promoting its heritage values. Thus, developing community-based tourism appears to be an appropriate approach to enhance locals' participation, in order to meet the Global Geopark Network's requirements. This type of tourism also create chances for local people to bring the most authentic and interesting experiences about their daily life to visitors.

This CBT model has contributed to restoring some traditional culture in Ea Po commune such as folk art, brocade weaving and local cuisine

In addition to assessing local current situation based on SWOT analysis, the MB's CBT model report also provides a suggestion on structure and operation of the Ea Po CBT Management Board and orientations on leisure and tourism space development (space for experiencing local production process of agro-goods, space for tourism services, for ammonite exhibition, for homestays, etc.); orientations on infrastructure investment, on the development of tourism services, on target tourist markets and on human resources to operate this model effectively in the future.

Furthermore, the report also proposes some solutions related to tourism promotion and advertisement and capital raising. Also, it suggests some feasible measures on protecting the environment to embellish local tourism resources, diversifying and improving the quality of products, services and local labor resources.

The model of Ea Po Community-based tourism development in Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark has been approved by the People's Committee of Dak Nong Province in Decision No. 635/QD-UBND dated May 10, 2021. In which, Cu Jut District People's Committee has been assigned to direct the implementation and operation of Ea Po CBT model.

This is considered a nuclear model to promote and spread its dynamics to other localities for a future sustainable tourism industry of the province.

Bach Van

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