Situation Analysis on the Water Quality of Ha Long Bay A social study from tourism businesses ’ perspectives 1 Le Tuan Anh PhD.

Agenda Overview of Ha Long Bay Research Objectives Methods Findings Recommendations Questions & Answers 2

Overview of Ha Long Bay Dual role as a tourist destination and an industrial and shipping centre Over development of tourism Limited authority and decision making power - > water contamination, solid waste accumulation, and large-scale damage to both species and ecosystems. -> ‘Save the Bay program’ 3

Research Objectives Relevance of program objectives Situation analysis on water quality with focus on impacts from tourism Public Private relationship and willingness Recommendations for project interventions ( ) 4

Methods Qualitative approach – Review of relevant projects, plans and reports – Interviews relevant stakeholders Quantitative approach – Survey of 4 tourism supplier groups of cruise managers 114 captains 49 accommodation managers, and 16 restaurant managers 5

Qualitative Findings Improvement on environment quality (IUCN 2013) 2013: 2.55 million tourists (35% domestic, 65% international) (HLBM report, 2014) Revenue from entrance tickets of about US$10 millions Environment quality is crucial factors (ERST, 2014) Master plan in tourism to 2020 with vision 2030 Master plan in environment -> Europe water quality standard by 2020 Quarterly water quality monitoring Local authority support to protect environment 6

Qualitative Findings Over carrying capacity e.g. 5,500/day at Thien Cung and Dau Go (HLBM, 2009) Increasing negative environmental impacts on coastal area and on the bay (JICA, 2013) Tourist discharges about 0.5 kg of solid waste and 100 liters of wastewater per trip (JICA, 2013) Boats increased 1.6 time from 329 (2006) to 527 (2014); 30% (167 overnight boats) Tourism pressure as a major factor affecting the universal value of the site in addition to industrial development, population growth, aquaculture and fishing (IUCN, 2013) 7

Qualitative Findings Ha Long Bay rated lowest on the criteria of environmental friendly destination (M=4.4) and on overall evaluation (M=4.8) among 5 destinations (Sa Pa, Ha Long, Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An) (ESRT, 2014) 17% of international and 15% of national showed their serious concern about the environment in the destinations of Ha Long Of the total 2,373 reviews of Ha Long Bay as an attraction from Jan 01 to July 16, 2014, a total of 51 (2.15%) reviews classified the attraction as ‘terrible’ while 80 (3.37%) classified their experience as ‘poor’. (Tripadvisor 2014) 8

Qualitative Findings Sources of pollution mainly from coastal areas and buffer zone e.g. state- owned enterprises and socio-economic organizations Low local awareness on environment protection Ha Long waste treatment capacity does not meet the growth - > discharge in to the sea Sewage discharge into the sea without treatment No collection points and treatment of sewage and black water Oil pollution at Bai Chay harbor (0.23mg/l in 4/2013) (HLBM 2013) 9

Quantitative findings General information Perception on water quality Environmental impacts Public private relationship 10

General information Expected guests in 2015 vs. 2014: Increase Average guest night: cruise/hotel (1.36/1.34) Average occupancy rate: cruise/hotel (66%/ 44%) Main markets: Europe, NEA, SEA and Domestic 11

Perception on water quality Impression of the water quality over the past 5 years Observation of current water quality Describe the physical evidence The most polluted areas (on map) Main sources of pollutions Influence of water quality on tourist experience Responsibility on water quality protection Involvement in environmental protection initiative 12

13 Impression of the water quality over the past 5 years Observation of current water quality

14 Impression of the water quality over the past 5 years Observation of current water quality

15 Physial evidence

Polluted areas 16 21%Bai Chay coastal area 14%Bai Chay habour 7%Thien Cung - Dau Go caves 7%Amazing cave 5%Three caves 5%Fishing village 4%Titop 3%Luon cave 2%Cai Lan Industrial Area 2%Doan habour 30%Other areas

Main sources of pollutions 17

Main sources of pollutions 18

Water quality and tourist experience 19

Responsibility on water quality protection 20

Involvement in environmental protection Participate JICA project Environment monitoring Collect rubbish with tourists For a green Ha Long Installed oil separator Awareness raising Water saving in hotel Waste collection at coastal swimming area Etc… 21 N= 94

Environmental Impacts (114 Cruise Boat Captains) Average volume of solid waste produced per night Measures use to reduce solid waste production Average water consumption per night Usage of water saving devices/ practices Average oiled water production per night Management of oily water Installed oily water separator and its functioning Average sewage production per day-only trip Management of sewage Management of grey water 22

Solid waste production and reduction Average volume of 11.3 kg of solid waste produced per night Measures use to reduce solid waste production 23

Water consumption and reduction Average water consumption of 6.4 m 3 per night Usage of water saving devices/ practices 24

Oiled water production and management Average oiled water production of 1.05 m 3 per trip 100% installed oily water separator (82%/18%) Installed oily water separator and its functioning 25

Sewage production and management Average sewage production of 12.2 m 3 per day-only trip Management of sewage 26

Management of grey water 27

Public Private Relationship (Cruise, Accommodations, Restaurant) Current relationship Willingness to engage in the Alliance Factors hindering involvement in the Alliance Contribution toward water quality improvement 28

Current relationship Together with enterprises (2014) Monthly and quarterly Public Private Dialogues Limited participation from tourism sector Empowered tourism association 29

Willingness to engage in the Alliance 30

Possible hindering factors 31

Contribution toward water quality improvement 32

Suggestions A Ha Long – Cat Ba Alliance as an advisory board for Ha Long/Quang Ninh authority Public awareness raising program through engagement of media Environment protection fee/fund Synergy/facilitation of joint activities Pilot public-private initiatives/activities 33

Thank you for your attention Questions & Answers 34