"The link between mobility and tourism: Creating social sustainability"

The conference was attended by over 30 scholars from various countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, the USA, Japan, Canada, Belgium, South Korea, Macao, Taiwan, the Philippines, Brazil, and others. Notably, the conference featured leading international speakers in the field of tourism, such as Prof. Sabine Marschall (University of KwwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), Prof. Michael Hitchcock (University of London, UK), Prof. Noel B. Salazar (University of Leuven, Belgium), and Prof. Alan Lew (Northern Arizona University, USA). From Vietnam, the conference included representatives from tourism management agencies, tourism development research institutes, and tourism training schools.

Associate Professor Tran Thi Minh Hoa (Vice Rector) delivered a welcoming speech to domestic and international guests.

The conference featured four keynote presentations by four leading scholars.

Professor Sabine Marschall, in her paper "Is It Tourism? Social Sustainability and the Blurred Lines Between Travel and Migration," clarifies the differences between travel, tourism, and migration, specifically addressing cases of refugees or forced migration. Recognizing research on these forms of illicit travel will open up new perspectives for policymakers, aiming to enhance social sustainability. The paper also focuses on this issue in developing countries, where free travel is not as readily available as in developed nations. Individuals are shaped by diverse socioeconomic and political circumstances; therefore, these groups cannot be explained by traditional concepts but must consider real-world mobility trends and the specific context of their local areas.

Professor Noel B. Salazar presented on "Migration and Tourism: It's Time to Bring Sustainability into the Debate." The author raised the issue of the relationship between migration and tourism, where tourism often emphasizes the movement of tourists, while migration focuses on the movement of migrant workers. Focusing on the movement of migrant workers in relation to tourism, within the context of globalization and social inequality, must be considered to create social sustainability.

Professor Alan Lew introduced the topic "Migration and Social Sustainability: Tourism and Lasting Attraction." The article clarifies the benefits and impacts of dispersed migrant communities on tourism development and, more broadly, on social sustainability. Because of their historical and biological ties to their home countries, migrants always want to return, boosting tourism development through remittances and image promotion. These activities help develop social capital, increase social sustainability, and connect tourism within foreign communities.

Professor Michael Hitchcock presented "The Story of Two Tourist Cities and Sustainability in Hong Kong and Macau." The paper highlighted common characteristics of tourism in both cities: both were colonies returned to China in the 1990s, both have large tourist numbers, and both have diverse ethnic structures. However, the difference is that in Macau, locals generally welcome tourists more enthusiastically. In contrast, the reaction to tourists in Hong Kong has been so heavily criticized that it raises questions about the social sustainability of tourism there. This comparison offers researchers insights when considering the issue of social sustainability in tourism activities in each locality.

The workshop was divided into the following main sessions:

• Regarding the issue of conflict or interaction between tourists, locals, and migrants.There were presentations on topics such as “Tourism, casino business and movement regulations in Macau”, “Migration and Tourism: Do we need a broader approach?”, “Local alienation in Didyma: the role of migration in tourism”, “The impact of immigrants on the Canadian tourism industry”, and “Cultural integration in international hotels in Vietnam”.
• Regarding the topic of travel mobility and cross-border movement.The conference included presentations on topics such as “Medical tourism and cross-sectoral racialization along the US-Mexico border”, “Visa-visitors and tourist mobility across the northern hemisphere: the story of four Asian countries”, “ASEAN tourism integration: policy recommendations for sustainable development”, “Tourism development potential along the southern economic corridor between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand”, and “Mobile mobility in the Asia-Pacific region: the intersection of tourism and migration”.
• Regarding the topic of sustainable community development/the lasting appeal of tourist destinations.The main presentations included: “The Enduring Appeal of Tourist Destinations: The Case of Havana”, “The Role of Mountain Tourism Development in Empowering Communities, Sustainability, and Poverty Reduction in Rural China”, “Case Study of Experiential Activities in Agriculture and Food Education”, “The Relationship Between Tourism and Marathon Running in Vietnam”, and “From Folk Processions to Cultural Tourism Festivals”.
• Regarding the topic of travel, cultures and identities are scattered.The presentations included: “Perceptions of tourism migration from the perspective of local communities from the Cook Islands (South Pacific)”, “Scottish people: scattered groups, originality and imagined homeland”, “The settlement growth of the Portuguese community in Johannesburg (South Africa)”, “The participation of ethnic minority women and child tourism activities in Sapa”, “LGBT community tourism activities in Vietnam: a practical analysis”, “Changes in the lifestyles of people in tourist destinations”.
• On the topic of heritage and religion in migration and tourism mobility.The presentations included: “Vietnamese immigrants in the United States and their impact on the image of Vietnam”, “The role of religion in migration and tourism mobility”, “Principles and the revelation of hidden heritage”, “Demographic shifts in World Heritage sites, the case of the Hoi An central area 1999-2010”, “Rural-to-urban migration to secondary cities and the role of community-oriented tourism in local livelihoods, a case study at Hoa Binh Lake area”.

The conference also featured the launch of the books “Tourism and Memories of Home: Migrants, Displaced People, Exiles and Diasporic Communities” (2017) by Prof. Sabine Marschall (University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa); and “Momentous Mobilities: Anthropological Musings on the Meanings of Travel” (2018) by Prof. Noel Salazar (University of Leuven, Belgium).