ETHNIC MINORITY HUMAN RESOURCES IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN LAO CAI: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS

Abstract

This study examines the role of ethnic minority human resources (EMHR) in promoting sustainable tourism development in Lao Cai Province. Based on the SWOT analytical framework, the research identifies the key strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing EMHR in the context of green transition and international integration. Findings indicate that EMHR possess rich cultural capital and indigenous knowledge, playing a vital role in advancing sustainable tourism. However, limitations in education, professional skills, language proficiency, and managerial capacity remain major barriers that hinder their effective participation in the tourism value chain. The study proposes a set of comprehensive capacity-building measures, including vocational training, soft-skills development, sustainable tourism awareness, entrepreneurship support, and improvement of policies and infrastructure. These solutions aim to transform cultural capital into economic capital, contributing to a balanced approach between heritage preservation, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable development.