SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CAO BANG PROVINCE: POTENTIALS FROM THE GLOBAL GEOPARK NON NUOC CAO BANG

Abstract

Abstract: Sustainable development becomes an essential trend in the tourism industry worldwide and in Vietnam. Being a province in the Northeast region of Vietnam, Cao Bang is endowed with an important position in the development of economy, trade, and services, including tourism. With its diverse and rich tourism resources, including cultural and natural resources, notably the global geopark Non Nuoc Cao Bang. This is a fundamental advantage for Cao Bang to create a sustainable tourism development momentum. In the paper, the authors focus on analyzing and evaluating the potentials, advantages, and the current situation of tourism development in Cao Bang associated with the advantages of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang global geopark. Accordingly, the authors propose strategic directions for sustainable tourism development, effectively exploiting the values of tourism resources, protecting the natural environment, respecting cultural and social values, and contributing to the local economic development.

Keywords: Global geopark; Sustainable tourism; Non Nuoc Cao Bang; Sustainable tourism development.