Local authorities and experts raised warnings about unsustainable tourism during a conference about Cham Islands conservation and sustainable development held in Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, on October 12.

Cham Islands conservation and sustainable development conference held in Hoi An 

Tran Thi Hong Thuy, director of the management board of Cham Island Marine Protected Area said since Cham Islands was recognised as a world Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2009, the local economy had had a strong boost. Tan Hiep used to be a poor commune but tourism boosted its annual income per capita in 2017 to VND37.02m (USD1,600).

However, management work is lagging behind rapid tourism development. The number of visitors increased sharply while the environment has increasingly suffered. Many surveys also pointed out that the locals only earned a quarter of their revenue from tourism activities.

Lodovico Ruggeri, representative of Cham Islands Diving Company, said most firms only cared about profits instead of the big picture. He suggested tightening management and limiting the number of ships and tourists. The authorities should consider a seasonal travel ban so that the eco-system has time to recover.

In 2015 and 2016, about 11,000 to 12,000 visitors stayed overnight and the number of international visitors has been on a decline. Many experts pointed out that Cham Islands is providing cheap services which will badly affect the environment. Vietnam's tourism sector mostly depends on the natural beauty of the destinations.

Bui Thi Thu Hien from the IUCN said they had asked to expand the protected area many times without success.

Nguyen Su, party secretary of Hoi An, said shortcomings of Cham Islands tourism development had been discussed many times before still nothing had been done. According to Su, every development has a price but they have to choose the least harmful. Everyone wants to attract as many as visitors as possible but not many think about the long-term costs.

One visitor spending USD5 is better than five people spending just USD5, Su said about limiting visitors.

"We are making profits from nature so we have to respect and find ways to live in harmony with it," he said.

Nguoi Lao Dong/Dtinews