Workshop to evaluate the cultural tourism model of Tho ethnic group in Nghia Dan district

Attending the workshop were representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of Culture and Sports, travel companies, experts and leaders of Nghia Dan district.

Nghia Dan is a midland mountainous district located in the North of Nghe An province, with a total population of more than 146,000 people, of which ethnic minorities are more than 44,000 people (accounting for 30.13%), of which the Tho ethnic group has more than 26,660 people (accounting for 18.21%).

The Tho ethnic group in Nghia Dan lives mainly in the communes of Nghia Loi, Nghia Lac, Nghia Tho and still retains a lot of indigenous knowledge with potential for tourism development such as: folk medicine, cuisine, traditional crafts...

The Center for Social Sciences and Humanities under the Department of Science and Technology of Nghe An province has chosen Nghia Loi commune to build a model of Tho ethnic cultural tourism to exploit the indigenous cultural values ​​of Tho ethnic people in tourism activities. Building the first tourist destination of Tho people in Nghe An in the Western Nghe An tourism system.

The model has been tested to evaluate the pilot tour in Nghia Dan district, taking the cultural element of the Tho ethnic group in Nghia Loi commune as the highlight. Coming to Nghia Loi commune, visitors can experience the cultural space, the traditional hemp hammock weaving profession; enjoy folk songs, folk dances and specialties of the Tho people...

At the workshop, delegates assessed the advantages and difficulties in incorporating cultural elements into the tourism model of the Tho ethnic group; the issues raised when building tours and routes based on the cultural characteristics of the Tho ethnic group in Nghia Dan district; communication directions, exploitation and development of tours and routes to attract tourists to the Western region of Nghe An in particular, and Nghia Dan district in general.

The delegates all agreed on the issues that need to be resolved and solutions for implementation in the coming time, such as the need for the participation of local authorities and the consensus and solidarity of the people in developing community tourism; correctly identifying target customers for reasonable service; unifying the planning of destinations and typical tourism products; linking inter-commune and inter-district destinations, creating tours with diverse and attractive products and services.

At the same time, focus on preserving the cultural space of the Tho ethnic group, typical cultural values ​​such as housing architecture, musical identity, cuisine and indigenous knowledge to exploit and develop community tourism. Pay attention to training and improving the quality of the workforce, aiming for professionalism; proactively connect and communicate, promote to attract tourists.../.