I. WWF Greater Mekong Profile
Formed in November 2005, the WWF Greater Mekong Programme is part of WWF’s global network, coordinating a growing number of projects through offices in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The WWF Greater Mekong Programme envisions a future whereby the function of natural ecosystems, on which the quality of life depends, is ensured by people whose daily actions support biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of renewable natural resources in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Our purpose is to aid the people of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam to conserve the region’s natural heritage and move on a more sustainable development path. To reach this goal, WWF Greater Mekong works to raise the awareness of local people about critical environmental issues, influence policy, build capacity, etc., while still ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
Our work currently focuses on conserving the biodiversity of three priority ecoregions: the Lower Mekong Dry Forests, the Mekong River, and the Greater Annamites Forests.
II. Tourism-related projects in the region
1. Vietnam
Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use in the Con Dao islands region
The “Coastal & marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the Con Dao islands region” is a three-year project (2006-2008) funded by UNDP-GEF. The project aims to strengthen local capacity for coastal & marine biodiversity conservation, improve the integration of conservation and environmental management into development planning, establish a sustainable financing mechanism for biodiversity conservation, and link local efforts to national strategies and policy development, thus contributing to the conservation of globally significant coastal.
Project objectives:
• Protection of Globally Significant Coastal and Marine Biodiversity in Con Dao Islands region through protection, conservation and management.
• Improved Management of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity in Con Dao Islands region with increased participation of local communities, links between biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development, and strengthened institutional capacity and legal frameworks.
• Assured Sustainability of Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Protection in Con Dao islands region through support from ecotourism development.
In parallel with strengthening participatory biodiversity conservation management in CDNP and enhancing capacity of local authorities in sustainable environmental management, the project also focuses on supporting sustainable tourism development in Con Dao islands region, with particular emphasis on development and implementation of CDNP sustainable tourism strategy, increasing investment in sustainable tourism operations and producing a model for sustainable financing of MPAs in Vietnam.
2. Lao PDR
Natural Eco-tourism in Xe Pian National Protected Area (NPA)
Xe Pian NPA spans 240, 000 hectares across Champassak and Attapeu Provinces at the southern tip of Lao PDR with a rich cultural history and harbours much spectacular and rare natural habitat and wildlife. Xe Pian’s wealth of biodiversity and unique cultural heritage is emblematic of what is attracting travellers from around the world to Lao PDR at a growing rate. The Lao National Tourism Administration, in 2006, reported tourist arrivals increased by 11% from the previous year, generating total revenue of USD 173 million.
WWF in partnership with local villages, the Champassak Provincial Tourism Department, the Department of Forestry, and under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lao National Tourism Administration, is helping local communities and business access this growing market by developing ecotourism within Xe Pian NPA.
Ecotourism products and services being offered in Xe Pian NPA including elephant trekking, bird watching, canoeing, hiking and village home-stay, boost local socio-economic development, support the conservation of Xe Pian’s unique cultural heritage and biodiversity, and raise the profile of Lao PDR as a sustainable tourist destination worldwide.
Project Activities
• Survey and plan for ecotourism development
• Raise public and private sector stakeholders awareness of ecotourism
• Help construct small infrastructures, such as community-based accommodation, and wildlife viewing facilities
• Train villagers and provincial tour company representatives in hospitality and guiding
• Monitor the positive and negative social, environmental and economic impacts of tourism
• Promote and market ecotourism products and services
3. In Cambodia
Mondulkiri Protected Forest (MPF) Management Plan for 2008-2012
Ecotourism, based on the wildlife, natural features, and indigenous cultures of the MPF, has the potential to contribute to the economic development of Mondulkiri Province and provide jobs and supplemental income for people living in the three development clusters surrounding the MPF. Developing a world class ecolodge near Mereuch, would allow the economic potential to be realized.
Project objectives: Develop a high-quality ecotourism attraction, based on a luxury ecolodge, that provides jobs and income for local people, is a focal point of tourism development in Mondulkiri Province, and provides some financial support for MPF management over the long term.
Outcome: A luxury ecolodge is successfully operating inside the MPF, is attracting guests from around the world, is employing local people, and is beginning to generate revenue for the MPF either directly or through conservation fees paid by guests. Local people working at the ecolodge have been trained in hospitality skills, are providing guiding and other services to the ecolodge and independent travelers, and are selling handicrafts and locally-grown food to the ecolodge.
4. In Thailand
The Strengthening Andaman Marine Protected Areas Network (SAMPAN)
“The Strengthening Andaman Marine Protected Areas Network” (SAMPAN) Project is a three-year project led by the Royal Thai Government, with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Fonds Français pour l'Environnement Mondial (FFEM or French Global Environment Facility) and WWF Thailand.
The SAMPAN project directly aims to restore, conserve and develop natural environment and resources sustainable. The project was initiated one year after the Tsunami catastrophe in 2004 and aims to strengthen the management of Marine Protected Areas along the Andaman Coast and reduce impacts to those areas. The project area covers three Jewels of the Andaman Sea including Similan, Surin and Mu Ko Lanta Marine National Parks.
The Andaman Sea National Park’s natural wealth supports the pristine beaches, warm clear water and lush tropical islands that have helped make Thailand a leader in the global tourism industry. Multitudes of visitors who come to enjoy these natural wonders bring significant revenue for local Thai communities, but rising visitor numbers also threaten to destroy the very jewels that make the region a global attraction.
SAMPAN aims to solve the problem by improving management and tourism in parks. The project will strengthen national park administration and protection, reduce the impacts of tourism and develop replicable best environmental standards with private tourism operators. It is designed to promote sustainable tourism and ensure safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable natural sites.