Insufficient awareness of sustainabletourism development persists among industry players in the tourism sector.Commercial enterprises have not implemented tangible measures to activelysu
Trang 1VINH UNIVERSITY
PHUNG NGOC THUYSUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENTPOLICIES OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS:
A CASE STUDY IN HO CHI MINH CITY
ABSTRACT OF THE ECONOMIC DOCTORAL
DISSERTATION
Major: Economic ManagementCode: 9 31 01 10
NGHE AN, 2024
Trang 2DISSERTATION COMPLETED AT VINH UNIVERSITY
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUCTOR:
Associate Professor Doctor ĐOÀN THỊ THU HÀ
Trang 3INTRODUCTION1 Reason for choosing this topic
The tourism industry is a crucial component of any economy and afundamental aspect of individuals' lives Acknowledging the significance oftourism and in accordance with worldwide patterns towards sustainabledevelopment, the Party and the State have underscored the pivotal role oftourism in the national economy The purpose of establishing tourism as apivotal economic sector in the country has been established, and over time,rigorous policies and methods have been executed to accomplish this aim
As evidenced by its tourism industry's contribution of roughly 25%to Vietnam's overall tourism GDP in 2022, Ho Chi Minh City is the leadingtourist destination in the country The city's tourism industry contributed6.9% to the local GDP, surpassing the national average of 5.9% The rate atwhich international tourists to Ho Chi Minh City are increasing hassurpassed the rate of growth at the national level The rising influx oftourists underscores the city's allure and the efficacy of its tourism policy.Nevertheless, this also poses significant obstacles, namely for theformulation of sustainable tourism development policies More precisely,Ho Chi Minh City does not have a well defined strategic plan for thedevelopment of sustainable tourism and has not successfully executedcoordinated and synchronized measures with local enterprises to accomplishits sustainable tourism objectives Insufficient awareness of sustainabletourism development persists among industry players in the tourism sector.Commercial enterprises have not implemented tangible measures to activelysupport the sustainable growth of tourism in Ho Chi Minh City.Consequently, the city has not completely achieved its tourism developmentobjectives in recent years As a researcher, the primary inquiry is: Whichpolicy priorities and innovations should Ho Chi Minh City prioritize inorder to pursue its strategic goals and crucial directions for sustainabletourist growth in the next years? Do the existing policies, or the presentpolicies under consideration, adequately use the city's strengths and takeadvantage of future prospects for tourism growth? In order to tackle theseinquiries, the PhD thesis in Economic Management has chosen the subject
"Sustainable Tourism Development Policies at the Provincial Level: ACase Study of Ho Chi Minh City."
2 Objectives and Tasks of the Research
2.1 Objectives of the Research Project
Drawing upon the theoretical framework of sustainable touristdevelopment policies at the province level and the actual implementation ofthese policies in Ho Chi Minh City, this thesis seeks to assess the influenceof local policies on the growth of sustainable tourism in the city
Trang 4Furthermore, it aims to suggest remedies to guarantee that the policies ofHo Chi Minh City advance sustainable tourist growth till 2030, with aforward-looking perspective towards 2045
2.2 Tasks of the Research
- To give a review of existing research on tourism, sustainabletourist development, tourism governance, and sustainable tourismdevelopment policies at the provincial level in order to identify the researchgaps that this thesis aims to solve
- To define a theoretical framework for assessing tourismdevelopment policies in Ho Chi Minh City, it is necessary to systematicallyorganize the theoretical underpinning and practical experiences related tosustainable tourism development policies at the province level Conduct ananalysis and evaluation of the present state of sustainable touristdevelopment policies in Ho Chi Minh City
- Conduct an analysis and evaluation of the present state ofsustainable tourist development policies in Ho Chi Minh City
- To propose strategies, remedies, and suggestions to guaranteethat Ho Chi Minh City's tourism development policies advancesustainability until 2030, with a long-term vision extending to 2045
- What are the theoretical and practical principles that underpinsustainable tourism development agendas at the provincial level?
- To what extent do tourist development and tourism policy in HoChi Minh City currently demonstrate sustainability?
- What specific directions, solutions, and recommendations arenecessary to guarantee that the tourism policies of Ho Chi Minh City are inline with sustainable development goals until 2030, with a long-term visionextending to 2045?
4 Research Participants and Scope
4.1 Participants Under Study
Specifically, this thesis focuses on the sustainable touristdevelopment policies implemented by provincial governments
4.2 Scope of Research
Scope of Content: The thesis centres on the formulation of atheoretical framework for the implementation of sustainable tourist
Trang 5development policies at the provincial level Furthermore, it explores theassessment of the influence of these policies on the development ofsustainable tourism and the elements that affect the efficacy of sustainabletourist policies in Ho Chi Minh City Drawing from this study, the thesissuggests remedies to guarantee and improve the efficiency of Ho Chi MinhCity's sustainable tourist development strategies till 2030, with a long-termperspective towards 2045 The main policy examined during this timeframeis Decision No 3364/QĢ-UBND, issued by the People's Committee of HoChi Minh City on August 13, 2018 This decision approved the Outline andTasks of the Tourism Development Strategy for the city until 2030, as wellas other policies specific to relevant sectors.
Scope of Time: The thesis analyzes the present condition of HoChi Minh City's sustainable tourist development policies from 2018 to2022, proposes remedies for the timeframe until 2030, and delineatesstrategic directions for the timeframe until 2045
Scope of Area: This study specifically examines the sustainabletourist development policies of Ho Chi Minh City, with a particularemphasis on the southern main economic sector
5 Research Methodology
5.1 Research Approach
This thesis analyses and evaluates the topics relevant to the contentof the study using a systems approach, which views issues from the perspective of internal and external interfaces In order to effectively tackle its research objectives, the thesis employs multidisciplinary and
interdisciplinary research methodologies from the perspective of economic management The choice of research methodology, whether qualitative or quantitative, depends on the specific research objective
5.2 Analytical Framework
Trang 6Provincial government policies for sustainable tourism development
Perspectives and development orientations for sustainable
tourismContext and trends in sustainable
tourism development
Factors influencing sustainable tourism development policies:
Objective factorsSubjective factors
The current state of sustainable tourism development in the local
area
Figure 0-1 Analytical Framework for Provincial Government Policies on
Sustainable Tourism Development
Source: Author’s Proposal
5.3 Research Methodology
This dissertation used A combination of several fundamentalmethodologies, including data collecting, logical reasoning, comparison andcontrast, synthesis and analysis, statistical data analysis, field research, andsocial inquiry
6 Contributions of the Topic
6.1 Theoretical Contributions
The dissertation aims to consolidate, organize, and provide noveland urgent concerns pertaining to the theoretical foundation of touristdevelopment and sustainable tourism development strategies of provincegovernments
6.2 Tangible Contributions
The report provides empirical data on the present condition oftourist development, the elements that influence tourism growth, and the
Trang 7policies for sustainable tourism development It also examines the keyaspects that affect the effectiveness and impact of these policies in Ho ChiMinh City during the study period The study will lead to the proposal ofmany policy recommendations for enhancements at both the national andlocal levels.
Chapter 1.OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH RELATED TO PROVINCIALGOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT 1.1 Research Overview
To identify the research gaps, the author conducted acomprehensive review of studies related to tourism, focusing on thefollowing areas: (1) Research on sustainable tourism development; (2)Research on state management of tourism development; (3) Research onprovincial government policies for sustainable tourism development; (4)Research on sustainable tourism development policies of Ho Chi MinhCity's government
Through this review, the author has drawn several conclusionsand identified the research gaps as follows:
Firstly, many studies to date have not reached a consensus on the
concept, content, criteria, and policy framework for provincial governments'sustainable tourism development, particularly regarding the role of differentgovernment levels (including provincial) in proposing and implementingpolicy initiatives to drive local tourism growth
Secondly, the current state of sustainable tourism development
policies in Ho Chi Minh City has not been fully or comprehensivelyevaluated Additionally, the outcomes of Ho Chi Minh City's sustainabletourism policies have not been sufficiently researched
Thirdly, policy evaluation has not been given adequate attention in
both research and practice Therefore, this dissertation aims to developmodels and establish tools and indicators to assess the sustainability of HoChi Minh City's tourism development policies Alongside this, the level ofimpact/influence of these policies on sustainable tourism development, aswell as the factors affecting the effectiveness of these policies, have notbeen widely studied This is the direction the dissertation will focus on,providing a basis for proposing solutions to ensure the effectiveness ofprovincial government policies on sustainable tourism development
Chapter 2.THEORETICAL FOUNDATION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION
OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SUSTAINABLE
Trang 8TOURISM DEVELOPMENT2.1 Primary Concerns in the Development of Sustainable Tourism
2.1.1 Definitions
2.1.1.1 Tourism
Tourism refers to the complete range of human activities related toleisure and travel that occur outside of their regular place of residence fordurations of less than one year The objective of the journey is not togenerate commercial gains in the destination region Tourism may bedefined as composed of two elements: Tourism as a demand, a socialphenomena, and tourism as an industry or profit-oriented activity
2.1.1.2 Tourists
Vietnam's 2017 Tourism Law defines tourists as individuals whotravel for tourism purposes or in conjunction with tourism, excludinginstances of studying, working, or practicing a vocation to generate incomeat the location Therefore, anyone who depart from their regular place ofhouse for a duration of less than 24 hours are likewise classified as tourists
2.1.1.3 Tourism Products
According to the 2017 Vietnam Tourism Law, tourism goods referto a range of services that are derived from the utilization of tourismresources in order to meet the demands of tourists
2.1.1.4 Development of Tourism
Vietnam's 2017 Tourism Law, namely Article 4, delineates fivefundamental principles for the growth of tourism
2.1.1.5 Sustainable Tourism Development
In accordance with the requirements and principles of sustainabledevelopment, sustainable tourism development refers to the development oftourism based on the rational and effective utilization of resources, ensuringthe achievement of three goals: economic sustainability, cultural and socialsustainability, and environmental sustainability at the local, regional, andnational levels
2.1.1.6 Policies for Sustainable Tourism Progression
Tourism development policies are a set of regulations implementedby authority bodies with the purpose of fostering sustainable tourismgrowth The policies have been formulated to address the presentrequirements of tourists and tourist destinations, while also guaranteeing thecapacity to cater to the demands of future generations of travelers
Trang 92.1.2 Characteristics and Role of Sustainable Tourism Development
2.1.2.1 Characteristics of Sustainable Tourism Development
According to Nguyễn Công Đệ (2022), sustainable tourismdevelopment is characterized by the following main features:
- It offers tourists the chance to unwind, alleviate tension, andlearn about novel and captivating experiences
- It enhances socio-economic development by generatingemployment opportunities and augmenting individuals'income
- Tourism products refer to the services and commoditiesoffered to tourists
- When providing tourism products, the service delivery andconsumption by tourists take place concurrently
2.1.2.2 The Significance of Tourism in Local Economic Development
Tourism development facilitates economic reorganisation,produces official budget income, attracts investment capital, and stimulatesthe local export of products It positively influences the growth of relevant'economic sectors Tourism also contributes to poverty reduction bygenerating employment opportunities and provide a consistent source ofincome for workers at tourist sites and surrounding areas Tourism, from asocietal standpoint, fulfills the requirements of human leisure, amusement,and schooling
2.1.2.3 The Significance of Sustainable Development
According to Nguyễn Công Đệ (2022), sustainable tourismdevelopment has several crucial functions, including enabling local exports,aiding in poverty reduction, promoting economic growth, mobilizingresources, facilitating communication and cultural exchange, contributing toenvironmental protection, and fostering international integration
2.2 Provincial Government Level Sustainable Tourism Development Policies
2.2.1 Primary Stakeholders and Target Groups of Provincial Tourism Development Policies
Firstly, the policymakers responsible for tourism development:Provincial-level tourism policymakers refer to organizations or localgovernment bodies that have the direct responsibility of overseeing andenhancing tourist activities within a specific province The aforementionedentities encompass the Provincial People’s Committee, the Department ofTourism/Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, governing bodies
Trang 10responsible for managing tourist regions and cultural heritage sites, as wellas provincial tourism groups
Secondly, the organizations responsible for executing tourismdevelopment policies: These include People's Councils at all levels,People's Committees at all levels, and specialised agencies operating underthe jurisdiction of the Provincial People's Committee.
Thirdly, the entities collaborating in the implementation of tourismdevelopment policies: Political and social organizations (such as theVietnam Fatherland Front, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, theVietnam Women’s Union, the Vietnam Veterans Association, the VietnamFarmers' Union, and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor),professional and social tourism associations, the business community, andlocal residents.
2.2.2 Goals of Policies for Sustainable Tourism Development
Figure 2.1 delineates the goals of sustainable tourist developmentinitiatives
Trang 11To promote sustainable economic development at the local level.To promote sustainable social - cultural development at the local level.To promote sustainable environmental development at the local level.To foster sustainable tourism collaboration and partnerships.
Figure 0.1: Policy Objective Tree for Provincial Government Tourism
Development
Source: Proposed by the author
2.2.3 Content of Policies of Tourism Development
Trang 122.2.3.1 Travel Product Development Policies
2.2.3.2 Policies Aiming at Technical Facility Development and Tourism Infrastructure Development
Policies Regarding Training and Development of Tourism Human Resources
2.2.3.4 Policies Regarding Tourism Branding, Market Development, and Promotion
2.2.4 Province Governments' Sustainable Tourism Development Policy Implementation
The application of sustainable tourist development strategiesdiscussed in this paper consists in the following:
First, creating a strategy for implementing policies of sustainabletourism development
Second, spreading and supporting strategies for sustainable tourismgrowth
Third, distributing tasks and organizing the application ofsustainable tourist development plans
Fourth, carrying out tasks connected to the implementation of thesepolicies
Fifth, observing and controlling the application of policies forsustainable tourist development
2.3 Assessment of Policies Regarding Development of SustainableTourism
2.3.1 Development Perspective on Criteria
The proposed scale by Nguyễn C.Đ (2022) and several tourismdevelopment evaluation criteria define the content and perspectivedevelopment based on which: Finding the required values and limits to bereached; the criteria must match the content of policy execution and be asmeasurable or investigable as feasible within provincial conditions; thesuggested criteria limits should be compatible with the requirements forsustainable tourism development while remaining feasible under currentprovince conditions in Vietnam
2.3.2 Content of the Evaluation Criteria
First, standards for assessing strategies on tourism development inrespect to steady economic growth
Second, standards for assessing policies on tourism developmentwith reference to social and cultural growth
Third, criteria for assessing tourism development strategies in
Trang 13relation to ecological environment protection and preservation of naturaltourism resources.
Fourth, criteria for evaluating tourism development policies based onthe level of collaboration and partnerships
2.4 Factors Influencing the Performance of Policies Regarding Sustainable Tourism Development
2.4.1.2 Factors Regarding Travel Infrastructure
Studies including those by Greg and Derek (2000), Phạm TrungLương (2002), Chen and Chen (2011), and Tsung (2013), have shown thatgeneral infrastructure as well as tourism infrastructure in particular is amajor factor influencing the success or failure of links between economicand tourist development
2.4.1.3 Traveler Contentment Elements
Research such as those by Ko (2005) and Dimoska and Petrevska(2012) point to the importance of tourist satisfaction in determining theirchoice to return, therefore influencing the sustainable growth of tourismproducts and locations
2.4.1.4 Support Services Associated to Tourism
Studies by Hollier and Lanquar (1996), Nguyễn Thị Lệ Hằng andcolleagues (2019), and others have revealed that support services connectedto tourism significantly affect the activities of visitors at a given location
2.4.1.5 Other Factors
- Development of science and technology
- Pandemics, natural disasters, and climate change- International Intergration
2.4.2 Internal Factors
Trang 142.4.2.1 Factors Regarding Tourism Resources
Studies by Nguyễn Văn Đức (2013), Nguyễn Đức Tuy (2014), andNguyễn Mạnh Cường (2015) underline how important tourist resources areto sustainable tourism development and, thus, directly affect the policies ofsustainable tourism development of provincial governments
2.4.2.2 Tourism Human Resource Aspects
Studies by Maia and his/her colleagues (2005) and Trần Sơn Hải(2011) show that, in the framework of sustainable tourism development, thequality of the tourist workforce significantly influences tourismdevelopment policies, particularly those at the province government level
2.4.2.3 Factors regarding Tourism Services
Research by Maia and his/her colleagues (2005) and Nguyễn VănĐức (2013) show that policies on sustainable tourism development aregreatly shaped by the variety of tourist services accessible to guests atdestinations
2.4.2.4 Factors of Tourism Linkage and Cooperation
Studies by Hilal and colleagues (2010) and Dwyer and colleagues(2011) indicate that policies on sustainable tourism development are muchinfluenced by the cooperation among state authorities and tourismcompanies
2.4.2.5 Marketing Factors and Tourism Promotion
Research by Hilal and colleagues (2010) and Nguyễn Thị Lệ Hằngand colleagues (2019) show that the process of providing tourism servicescalls for nations, localities, destinations, and tourism companies to enhancetheir marketing activities to support better and more sustainable tourismdevelopment
2.4.2.6 Local Community Characteristics Elements
Research including those by Greg and Derek (2000), Tsung(2013), and Ngô Thắng Lợi (2015) highlight the major contributions localcommunities make to sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism activitiescannot be guaranteed without local community involvement; conversely,vice versa
2.5 Experiences in Policies for Sustainable Tourism Development in Different Localities
2.5.1 Policy Development for Sustainable Tourism in Nam Định Province
Trang 152.5.2 Policy Development for Sustainable Cultural Tourism in Quảng Bình Province
2.5.3 Hội An, Quảng Nam Community-Based Tourism Development Policies
2.5.4 Experience Regarding Ho Chi Minh City Government
First, long-term, thorough planning with mobilization of allresources to invest in infrastructure for tourism attractions guaranteesefficacy and efficiency by means of which all resources are utilized
Second, invest in enhancing the quality of tourism services (touristsites and activities)
Third, create specialized favorable policies to draw investors,especially the business sector, which is essential for the accomplishment ofgoals related to the growth of tourism
Fourth, improve marketing and promotion initiatives to present HoChi Minh City's tourism appeal
Fifth, preparing and training a professional workforce for the traveland tourist sector
CHAPTER 3ASSESSING THE PRESENT STATUS OF HO CHI MINH CITY'S
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN ACHIEVING
SUSTAINABILITY3.1 Overview of the Tourism Potential of Ho Chi Minh City
3.1.1 Geographical Position
Based on data from April 1, 2019, Ho Chi Minh City covers a totalsize of 2,095.239 square kilometers and has a population of 8.993.082inhabitants The urban area is officially partitioned into 1 core city, 16districts, and 5 suburban districts, with a total of 322 wards, communes, andtowns Positioned strategically as a primary transportation centre, Ho ChiMinh City links many provinces in the region and acts as an internationalentry point It holds a prominent position in the southern economic regionof Vietnam
3.1.2 Economic and Social Characteristics
- Regarding economic: The Gross Regional Domestic Product(GRDP) of Ho Chi Minh City in 2020 amounted to over 1,372 trillion VNDat current values Expressed in 2010 constant values, this amount amountedto 991.424 trillion VND, indicating a growth of 1.39% compared to theprevious year This expansion made a substantial contribution to thenational economy, representing more than 22% of Vietnam's GrossDomestic Product (GDP) and 27% of the national budget revenue