The Central Highlands – Dalat National Tourism Year 2014 is expected to feature 17 events, 13 of which to be organised in Dalat and the rest to be hosted by regional provinces. This in some way proves the attractiveness of Dalat, but at the expense of community-based tourism in the region.
The situation is a result of the fact that many travel firms have taken advantage of the tourism potential in the region and have not invested in the development of food, accommodation and entertainment services. They also do not create typical tourism products for the region. As a result, several regional tourism areas now fail to attract visitors.
Trinh Nu Waterfall in Dak Nong Province was once a locally famous landscape. It was managed by Dak Nong Tourism and Trade Co., Ltd but has been deserted since 2012, and tourism there has been dwindling.
Trinh Nu Waterfall abandoned since 2012
The company has filed for bankruptcy due to large losses. Although it is expected that new investors will take over, it is impossible to tell when, and to date none have shown interest.
Ngo Lam, head of Cu Jut District Office for Culture and Information, said, “As Trinh Nu Waterfall stopped welcoming visitors, it has affected the operations of other sites in the surrounding area.”
Other sites in the region are experiencing similar trends, including Thuy Tien Waterfall in Tam Giang Commune of Dak Lak Province and the Ban Don cultural and ecological tourism site in Buon Don District.
Simple huts for visitors to Buon Don site
Vu Minh Thoai, head of Buon Don District Office for Culture and Information, said, “The Buon Don cultural and ecological site was initially managed by Dak Lak Rubber Co., Ltd but their activities began to decrease after the company's privatisation.”
Thoai went on to say that several other tour companies just take advantages of the Buon Don highlands villages and do not put money back into developing the service infrastructure or work out long-term development plans.
“Travel services at the site are rather boring and fail to meet demand due to lack of proper investment,” said Nguyen Duc, head of Buon Don Tourism Centre.
