ECOTOURISM & POVERTY REDUCTION PROJECT, VIETNAM (6:26)
Implemented by COHED, this project in Mai Chau Valley - Hoa Binh Province - aims to create employment in impoverished villages through tourism; noting international tourists at the time of the assignment were near non-existent throughout the region. Working closely with COHED's CEO, SCP's role was to help develop and implement a marketing campaign that targeted both local and international audiences. (Location Map / Information)
The assignment was executed in several phases: (i) Extensive travel throughout Vietnam for cultural study purposes and filming, ; and thereafter onto Hao Bing Province - (having fully utilized motorcycle, 4wd, planes, boats, canoes : ) over a two month period (ii) Engaging with local communities at length to gain their support and confidence in the program (iii) Mapping out tours to undiscovered locations (iv) Production of promotional video (v) design and construction of 2 E commerce websites with local IT team, who spoke no English! (vi) design of marketing material including posters and postcards (vii) forming affiliations with major hotels and travel agencies in Hanoi (viii) Capacity Building; that is teaching/ training local NGO staff on all facets of marketing; and (ix), advising local communities and tourism operators on hospitality and customer service. This project was a huge success.... In September, 2016, Government statistics showed 15000 tourists a month were visiting the region. Prime Minister Nguven Xuan Phuc announced the Government's intent to promote Mai Chau Valley and Ho Binh Province as a new tourist hotspot for 2017/18! Mission accomplished!
The assignment was executed in several phases: (i) Extensive travel throughout Vietnam for cultural study purposes and filming, ; and thereafter onto Hao Bing Province - (having fully utilized motorcycle, 4wd, planes, boats, canoes : ) over a two month period (ii) Engaging with local communities at length to gain their support and confidence in the program (iii) Mapping out tours to undiscovered locations (iv) Production of promotional video (v) design and construction of 2 E commerce websites with local IT team, who spoke no English! (vi) design of marketing material including posters and postcards (vii) forming affiliations with major hotels and travel agencies in Hanoi (viii) Capacity Building; that is teaching/ training local NGO staff on all facets of marketing; and (ix), advising local communities and tourism operators on hospitality and customer service. This project was a huge success.... In September, 2016, Government statistics showed 15000 tourists a month were visiting the region. Prime Minister Nguven Xuan Phuc announced the Government's intent to promote Mai Chau Valley and Ho Binh Province as a new tourist hotspot for 2017/18! Mission accomplished!
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