[img_assist|nid=51|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=225]On the morning of May 7th, prior to the start of the Pendeba Training, Deputy Director of Future Generations China, Cili Norbu and Director of the Pendeba Society, Tsering Norbu, organized a warm up activity for trainees. This was the first time that participants had ever taken part in such activities.
After the warm-up activity, Director Gama of the Dingri Tourism Bureau introduced the concept of eco-tourism to participants. Following the introduction, he gave a detailed introduction to eco-tourism development in the region, emphasizing the methods through which locals could and should participate in tourism development, how they can benefit from it, and simultaneously improve their lives.
During the workshop, Director Gama, together with trainees, identified the natural and cultural resources of Dingri County. Director Gama emphasized that protecting these resources and using them in a responsible fashion is the precondition for establishing a sustainable tourism industry in the area. He also pointed out that the Qomolangma Nature Preserve is Dingri County’s most famous tourist destination, a world-class natural resource, and that the local Buddhist temples and traditional Tibetan culture in the area are also rich and unique resources that could attract many tourists.
“Once we have identified these resources, we have to think carefully about how to give tourists the best quality services, particularly in terms of food, lodging, entertainment,” said Director Gama.
Director Gama also expressed his hope that the Pendeba Society will continue to organize and conduct trainings such as these in order to ensure that the community can be competitive in today’s tourism market, while simultaneously protecting the self-interest of locals. He also hopes that in the future the Pendeba Society will be able to offer such training opportunities to members of the tourism industry as well.