IMPACT OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ON THE LOCAL LIVELIHOODS AND LAND COVER CHANGE IN THE NORTHERN VIETNAMESE HIGHLANDS

Dr. Huong HOANG Faculty of Geography, VNU-University of Science Email: [email protected]/[email protected]

Hanoi, 15/4/2021 Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Study area

• Sa Pa district (700 km²)

• Mountain area including Hoang Lien National Park

• Capital: Sa Pa (50.000 inh)

• Growing touristic destination

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences High potential for tourism

ØLandscape diversity ØEthnic diversity

Ethnic component in 2010 6% 2% 2%

16% Strong relationship between topography 52% and distribution of ethnic groups 22%

Hmong Yao Kinh Tay Day Other Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

The evolution of number of tourist visiting Sa Pa 700

600 Thousands 500

400

300

200

100

0 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 Year 1993, opened for foreign tourism Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

RESEARCH QUESTION

Can livelihood diversification and tourism activities be drivers of forest cover change? Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Materials and methods

Land cover map from aerial photographs (2002) and VHR-SPOT 5 (2012) Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Materials and methods Household interview

Household interview

livelihood typology (Cluster analysis)

Detect difference Drivers of LUC at of household types household level 487 interviewed households (Comparison test) (MLR analysis) (21% of all households)

Answer the research question Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Materials and methods v Semi-structured interviews Collected information

HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS

EVOLUTION OF ARABLE LAND 2002-2012

OFF-FARM INCOME

AGRICULTURAL INCOME

FORESTRY INCOME

INVESTMENT IN TOURISM

INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE

ANNUALUCL LIVING EXPENSES Department of Earth and Earth and Life Institute Environmental Sciences Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Materials and methods

c. Multiple Logistic Regression (MRL):

Dependent Land Abandonment Binary variables Paddy field expansion Binary

Livelihood type Categorical Ethnicity Tourism income Independent variables Forestry income Agricultural income numerical Agricultural investment Living expenses Household size Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 1: Impact of tourism on local livelihood

- + UCL F FT FT fullEarth-time and farming Life Institute hh farming + limitted tourism farming + major tourism Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 1: Impact of tourism on local livelihood

Full-time farming household Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 1: Impact of tourism on local livelihood

Farming + limited tourism Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 1: Impact of tourism on local livelihood

Farming + major tourism Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 1: Impact of tourism on local livelihood

ØThe impact of tourism is strongly location-dependent Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 2: Impact of tourism on land use change Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 2: Impact of tourism on land use change at hh level

Regression Parameter Power of the model LUC categories Controlling factors Pr> Chi² coefficient importance (ROC-value )

Household group FT+ +2.57160 < 0.0001 2.57

Land abandonment 0.76 Forestry income +0.00002 0.003 8.40

Agricultural income +0.00002 0.007 2.16

hh size +0.23125 < 0.0001 4.63

Agricultural investment +0.00007 0.043 2.10 Paddy field expansion 0.71 Household group FT+ -0.89669 0.061 0.89

Household groups F +0.64003 0.064 0.64 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Result 2: Impact of tourism on land use change at hh level

ØTourism results in less interested in farming → Land abandonment

ØTourism caused Change of labor division → Land abandonment

Husbands stay at home for house works and taking care of children, Tourism offers off-farm jobs for women Study area Research question Materials and methods Result 1 Result 2 Conclusion

Conclusion

Ø Tourism increased the average living standard of the ethnic mountain minorities, and led to more intensive farming systems with forest regrowth on abandoned fields

ØThe impact of tourism is location-dependent (located at accessible places nearby the district center or tourism attractions)

ØIn remote villages, intensification of farming activities with production of market-oriented crops to supply the tourist demand might be an alternative way to raise the income levels of impoverished rural households.