February Preparations for March Trip

February was a busy month for the CBT Vietnam team. With high hopes for a Stakeholder Workshop, that would involve the Ta Phin community and private sector tourism, there was lots of work to be done.

Led by Hanoi Open University student, Trang, preparations included inviting village members and village tourism small business owners, members of local and regional government, private sector representatives from Sapa and Hanoi. To be sure we had the right people at the meeting, Trang contracted the business owners in Ta Phin and asked who was coming to the village.

The Ta Phin representatives said that they were fully on board and supported the idea of the workshop, and the response from the invitees was overwhelming. Endorsements were made by a significant proportion of tour operators running tours in Ta Phin. By the time the workshop was approached confirmations included those who would represent: Footprint Vietnam Travel (Hanoi), Duc Minh Tour Company (Sapa), Sisters Travel (Hanoi), Hoang Anh (Sapa), Buffalo Tours (Hanoi), Responsible Travel Club (Vietnam), Sapa Sport, Culture and Tourism, and Sapa Tourism Information Centre.

As the build up to the workshop continued the presentations and workshop activities began.

A big thanks goes out to Ms. Trang for all her hard work making sure that the workshop would be a success!