Seminar looks to promote Dak Lak as elephant-friendly destination
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, in coordination with Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV), on October 25 held a seminar entitled “Tourism companies join hands to promote the image of Dak Lak – an elephant-friendly destination”.
Dak Lak (VNA) – The Department of Culture, Sportsand Tourism, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Central Highlandsprovince of Dak Lak, in coordination with Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV), on October 25 held a seminar entitled “Tourism companies join hands to promote the image ofDak Lak – an elephant-friendly destination”.
Participants at the event were briefed on the Government’s regulations relatedto ivory, and inspection and management of wild animals, handling of ivory-relatedviolations in Dak Lak and recommendations to business establishments.
Drastic measures have been taken by the local authorities in abid to stop the trade of ivory and related items, the seminar heard.
Since 2018, the provincial Forest Protection Sub-Department has handled144 cases of violations related to illegal hunting and trade of wild animals, and seized 205 animals with a total weight of over 1,000 kg. The total amount of money collected from administrativepenalties for ivory-related violations topped more than 2 billion VND in thefirst half of this year.
They also discussed the role of enterprises in raisingawareness about elephant protection and preventing ivory-related violations. Themajority of delegates agreed that not only tourists but also those involved inthe tourism sector do not have proper knowledge of sanctions on the trade and useof wild animals, including ivory and elephant-related items.
10 enterprises that engaged in tourism and souvenir business in Dak Lak province signed a commitment not to trade in ivory and elephant-related items.(Photo: VNA)
According to Dang Xuan Vu, director of DakViet Travel Co. Ltd.,it is necessary to strengthen dissemination regulations related to the tradeand consumption of wild animals. He emphasised the significance of the communication work on wildlife conservation and elephant-friendly tourism model.
On this occasion, 10 enterprises that engaged in t𝔍ourism andsouvenir business in the province signed a commitment♍ not to trade in ivoryand elephant-related items. They will also encourage visitors not to buy theseproducts as well as join in efforts to promote the image of Dak Lak as anelephant-friendly destination./.
The People’s Committee of the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak and Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) on December 15 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the conversion of elephant-friendly tourism model.
In Vietnam, elephants are classified as critically endangered in the Vietnam Red Book, and are included in the group with the highest conservation status, whose exploitation for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.
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An overview of the seminar. (Photo: VNA) 
10 enterprises that engaged in tourism and souvenir business in Dak Lak province signed a commitment not to trade in ivory and elephant-related items.(Photo: VNA) 
