Transport for Tourism Project, Con Dao

Suggestions for improving fishing boats

As part of the larger UNDP Con Dao Project, local boat operators had expressed an interest in becoming involved in the tourism industry.  These were originally mostly in-shore waters fishermen who would be affected by zoning withing the Marine Protected Area boundaries.

A market analysis showed there was currently only one boat on the island available for boat trips, and that there was a demand for boat trips from an increasing number of both international and domestic tourists, who were often unable to take a trip on the sea.

By far the largest challenge was to convince the local authorities that fisherman could be involved in tourism - citing legislation stating it was illegal for fishermen to transport tourists, and that new boats would have to be purchased, thus making it near impossible for the target group to be involved in tourism.  The UNDP project had already purchased a boat for the Con Dao National Park - initially cited as a patrol boat, a glass-bottom tourist boat was purchased instead, at high cost.  This may have encouraged decision makers to place barriers in the hope of additional boat purchases from the project and subsequent commissions.  Needless to say this put the National Park Authority Tourism department in a perceived direct competition with potential small scale operators.

Workshop with the Island leadership

Citing stated goals of the UNDP Project AND District poverty alleviation decrees, a multi-stakeholder workshop was held to alleviate these issues, and provide a way to allow poor fishermen to be involved in tourism.  Solutions were suggested that included boat training from the military, economic support from the department of finance, access support from the National Park Authority, and rescue support from the Border Military.  It was agreed that existing boats could be upgraded to provide more comfort for tourists, and each agency publicly stated their full support for the local fishermen, which was recorded and shown on TV that evening.

A simple project which allowed local fishermen to continue what they were good at, with some extra training support and interpretive materials added in the process too.  By far the most successful aspect of the project was to "create an enabling environment" to allow the activity to take place.  Click here for pictures.