Reconnecting with the CBT team in Ta Phin

Mr. Xa, Chairman of Ta Phin and their CBT Management Board

On Sunday, February 23 we are hosting a workshop between the homestay owners and members of the Community-Based Tourism Management Board in Ta Phin and a number of tour operators from Hanoi and Sapa town. They are working towards developing a relationship in which the tour operators can book directly with the CBT Management Board, trying to increase the economic benefits the community retains from homestay guests.

On Tuesday afternoon, we arrived in Ta Phin and immediately met with six members of the Ta Phin CBT Management Board, as well as a few homestay owners and other residents. It is a difficult week to set up meetings and training, as all of Ta Phin is mobilized to get organized for the large festival that is scheduled for Saturday so we are taking any and all opportunities that come our way.

At this meeting, we discussed Sunday’s workshop to ensure that everyone is able to attend, and began to discuss what issues need resolution before the meeting. We decided to set up a meeting for Wednesday evening, after everyone’s workday was complete. Our agenda was lofty and we were hoping to work through five issues in preparation for our meeting on Sunday. We were hoping to set package prices that all homestay owners would agree to, so that they can present a united front to the tour operators on Sunday.

Initial CBT Management Board meeting in Ta Phin