The development of a tourism value chain for poverty reduction in the central province of Quang Nam and solutions and opportunities for Quang Nam’s tourism were discussed at a seminar in the province on May 16.

The seminar was part of an almost 1.4 million USD project to strengthen tourist activities in remote districts on the mainland of Quang Nam province, funded by the Government of Luxembourg through the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

ILO advisors briefed participants on the objectives of the 2011-2013 project, creating a tourism value chain towards poverty reduction and opportunities and challenges to the tourism sector in poverty reduction.

Economic experts said tourism was considered a motive force in economic development and a tool for poverty reduction. The tourism sector needed a huge workforce, mainly unskilled and semi-professional workers that could be easily trained, they said.

Vice Director of the Quang Nam Culture, Sports and Tourism Service Ho Tan Cuong suggested the project focus on measures to boost tourism development in mountainous areas, identifying tourism possibilities in eastern and western Quang Nam province, personnel training and promoting cooperation between project partners.

Quang Nam was attractive to tourists for its world heritage sites, Hoi An and My Son relics, the Cu Lao Cham biosphere reserve and its 125km coastline./.