Dak Lak’s Elephant-Friendly Tourism: Championing Animal Welfare for a Sustainable Future

Dak Lak is embracing an innovative “elephant-friendly tourism” model, prioritizing the well-being of domesticated elephants and offering visitors unique and meaningful experiences. (Photo: VNA)

Dak Lak – A group of organizations and businesses in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak have adopted an “elephant-friendly tourism” approach, ensuring the well-being of domesticated elephants and creating memorable experiences for visitors.

From Elephant Rides to Compassionate Encounters

Since July 2018, Yok Don National Park, in collaboration with Animals Asia, has offered “elephant-friendly tourism” experiences, allowing visitors to observe the daily routines of these majestic creatures. Tourists can watch the elephants eat, bathe, and roam freely while exploring the rich flora and fauna of the forest.

Visitors from all over the country have expressed their admiration for the friendly interactions with the elephants, including feeding and photo opportunities while wearing traditional local costumes. This tourism model is seen as a humane approach that should be encouraged to protect the elephant population.

Two years ago, the Buon Don Suspension Bridge Tourism Centre discontinued its elephant riding service and introduced interactive and close encounters with the animals. Elephants hold a significant place in the culture, history, and natural landscape of the Central Highlands. Now, visitors can feed the elephants, take photographs with them, participate in bathing them, and witness health blessing ceremonies, as well as enjoy elephant buffets.

The center has made concerted efforts to provide a better living environment for the elephants, including proper nutrition, medical care, and suitable accommodations. They have also worked to raise awareness among tourists about animal protection and have renewed their model by connecting it with other tourism products, as well as developing community-based tourism to attract a wider range of visitors.

Tran Thi Kim Anh, Director of the Biet Dien Tourism and Hotel Branch, the entity managing the Buon Don Suspension Bridge Tourism Centre, shared that after two years of implementing this model, they have achieved encouraging results. It has helped improve the living conditions of both the elephants and the local communities and has become a highlight of their activities.

Tran Thi Kim Anh, Director of the Biet Dien Tourism and Hotel Branch, shares her insights on the successful implementation of the “elephant-friendly tourism” model. (Photo: VNA)

“Elephant-friendly tourism” is a responsible form of tourism that minimizes the impact of human activities on elephant health, contributing to conservation efforts and sustainable tourism. The implementation of this model aligns with the memorandum of understanding signed between the provincial People’s Committee and Animals Asia in 2021, aiming to phase out elephant riding tourism and activities detrimental to the well-being of domesticated elephants.

Overcoming Challenges

While the “elephant-friendly tourism” model has yielded largely positive outcomes, it still faces challenges that require the collective effort of the local administration, community, and businesses.

According to the Dak Lak Centre for Elephant Conservation, Animal Rescue, and Forest Protection Management, the province is home to 35 domesticated elephants, mainly in Lak and Buon Don districts. However, the population is aging, with most elephants being over 40 years old, and unsuccessful breeding efforts have put the herd at risk of extinction. Additionally, shrinking grazing areas and food sources for elephants are leading to potential conflicts over habitation.

Moreover, in the absence of official regulations prohibiting elephant riding, the model has not yet been adopted in Lak district. As a result, tourists seeking elephant riding experiences have flocked to this district, putting pressure on the welfare of the elephants there.

During the “Elephant Stories” workshop organized by Simexco Daklak Co., Ltd. in Buon Ma Thuot city earlier this month, various stakeholders, including agencies, businesses, local authorities, elephant handlers, and community members, gathered to discuss and propose solutions to protect domesticated elephants and further develop the “elephant-friendly tourism” model.

Y Si That Ksor, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Buon Don district, emphasized the need for advocacy to transition from elephant riding to elephant-friendly tourism. He suggested integrating programs and non-governmental projects to ensure alternative livelihoods for elephant owners and handlers. Additionally, support in infrastructure, technical materials, and vocational skills is vital to promote the development of diverse tourism offerings.

Ryan Hockley, Animals Asia Elephant Welfare Advisor, highlighted the benefits of the “elephant-friendly tourism” model, stating that it allows elephants to live closer to their natural instincts, resulting in improved health and longer lifespans. He proposed solutions for developing this model, including understanding tourist preferences, enhancing tour quality, identifying target customer groups, and utilizing multiple platforms for promotion.

Nguyen Thuy Phuong Hieu, Director of the Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, affirmed that the “elephant-friendly tourism” model aligns with the province’s commitment to conserving rare and endangered wildlife. She added that they have directed localities, units, and businesses to gradually phase out and completely end elephant riding tourism after 2026.

The “elephant-friendly tourism” model has been successfully integrated with various activities and tourism products, such as cultural exchanges, traditional cuisine experiences, hiking, camping, cycling tours, river explorations, and cultural performances, creating lasting impressions on visitors.