Mr Bui Van Tinh, member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh Party Committee visited Ba Khan ecotourism site in Khan Ha village, Ba Khan commune. 

Since the planning of the Mai Chau national tourist site was announced, tourism activities in the district have seen important progresses. Tourism products have been diversified, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign visitors. The number of investors in Mai Chau tourism and trade has increased. 

So far, the provincial People’s Committee has approved investment proposals for 11 tourism-trade projects in the district with total investment of nearly 180 billion VND.

 The province has paid great attention to the preservation and promotion of cultural identities of local ethnic minority groups. At the moment, Mai Chau has seven community-based tourist sites. About 85 percent of Thai and Muong ethnic families have maintained their traditional stilt houses. Investment in infrastructure facilities serving tourism activities has been increased.

 As of the end of 2018, Mai Chau had 139 accommodation facilities for tourists with a total of 1,200 staff members. The number of visitors to Mai Chau in the year reached 333,000. Total earning from tourism was 108 billion USD.

 In concluding the session, Bui Van Tinh asked the district to continue optimising its geographical advantages, work harder to attract investment and develop tourism. Mai Chau should continue reviewing and adjusting tourism development planning in line with the general planning of the district and the province in order to create a key tourism region.

 He assigned the provincial Department of Culture-Sports and Tourism to give advice to the provincial People’s Committee on the building of a project to preserve the culture of ethnic minority groups in Mai Chau, especially the cultures of Thai and Mong people.

 The provincial leader also asked the Department of Finance and Department of Planning and Investment to assist Mai Chau in moving a television tower from Cao Phong to Mai Chau as soon as a suitable location is found, thus creating a highlight for the district’s tourism.

 In order to develop infrastructure system for tourism, the district should look for sources of income from land, he said, adding that Mai Chau should take measures to set up companies and cooperatives to foster connectivity in tourism development.

 In the immediate future, Mai Chau should prepare for a conference of the province to announce the designation of Mai Chau as a national tourism site, which will be held in combination with an event to promote investment in tourism in late 2019.

 Earlier, Bui Van Tinh also visited Ba Khan ecotourism site in Khan Ha village, Ba Khan commune, and Mai Chau Hideaway Resort in Suoi Lon village of Tan Mai commune.