Cultural Heritage
Our work in Cultural Heritage has focused on the conservation of sites which are destinations which support the local tourism industry, including historical buildings, cultural attractions, historical towns and villages.
Through our Cultural and Heritage Conservation Fund we have also worked with communities to invest in cultural heritage activities which support the growth of local tourism and provide employment opportunities within communities.
2016: CBT Vietnam
The PATA Foundation supported a long-running community-based tourism (CBT) initiative in the Sapa region of Northern Vietnam, delivered in partnership with Capilano University in Canada and Hanoi Open University in Vietnam.
Through hands-on training in tourism, entrepreneurship, homestay development, and environmental stewardship, the project empowered ethnic minority communities—including the Hmong, Red Dao, and Giay—to sustainably manage tourism and retain its economic benefits. Families participating in the programme saw significant income growth, while cultural preservation and responsible tourism practices strengthened community resilience. This collaborative effort remains a powerful example of how education and capacity building can transform local livelihoods.