Cooperating to open new islands tour

Cu Lao Cham Islands, offshore island of Quang Nam was recognized as the World Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO on May 29th 2009. And Ly Son (Cu Lao Re) island is some 18 nautical miles east offshore Quang Ngai mainland, called by many as a “fairy island” for either business people or travelers.
Thanks to these advantages of nature, the tourism authorities of the 2 provinces plan to launch a tour combining islands and inland destinations to further build on their reputation as the land of heritage sites.
Deputy Director of Quang Nam's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Do Tan Cuong said the new islands tour will be promoted next year. In addition, the provincial tourism departments will survey to promote new tourist products on the route from Cu Lao Cham to Re Island in late coming year. After visiting the World Biosphere Reserve in Cu Lao Cham islands, visitors will explore the sight-seeing of the majestic natural scenery on Re island.
The Cu Lao Cham has 8 big and small islands, the Cu Lao Cham Island is the biggest and most populated among others. Hon La, Hon Kho, Hon Dai, Hon Man, Hon Lon Hon Loi and Hon En lie scattered in the East Sea. Hon En (Island of Bird’s Nest) is an island where a swallow’s nest industry is exploited by the local people and has an output of hundreds tons of bird’s nest yearly for Hoi An City. Meanwhile, the Re island is the uniqueness of a Garlic Kingdom which is grown by the islanders. It is considered local specialty which is more preferable to other varieties as it is medium in size, white, tasty, and often used as a remedy. And it is expected that Ly Son garlic will soon be known abroad.
Adding to strong tourism development of coastal provinces in recent years, more and more new tours attract tourists to explore the neglected beauty of Re and Cham Island as well as beautiful beaches along the route. Therefore, Quang Nam's tourism industry expected to welcome around 2.45 million arrivals, and Quang Ngai Province nearby is over 300,000 tourists this year.
According to Mr Cuong, Lung Lo 5 Company had asked the province for approval to map out a scheme to turn Cu Lao Cham into a high-end tourist area in the biosphere reserve.
Thanh Pham (TITC)