The Quang Binh and Quang Tri Famtrip experienced and enjoyed the coral reef scuba diving in Ngoc island – Son Cha
Exploiting the two markets of 1.5 million citizens
Aiming to increase the source of domestic tourists for Hue, recently, Hue tourism has cooperated with Quang Binh and Quang Tri in organizing a famtrip to scout out Hue tourism’s product and service. This activity purpose is to create more opportunities, connect tours between tourism business enterprises in the three provinces.
According to Quang Binh Tourism Association, the expenditure of Quang Binh travelers has been considerably impacted by Covid-19. Now that the small group and short tours are the trend prioritized by travelers, therefore, the close destinations with convenient automobile transportation are chosen to boost exploitation by these enterprises; and, Quang Tri and Hue are the two appropriate destinations for designing attractive tours.
As stated by the Provincial Travel Agent, Hue is forming new products and tours, especially towards natural, sea and island tourism - this latest product line is expected to increase the ability to attract Quang Binh and Quang Tri tourists. With the total population of 1.5 million people (650.000 for Quang Tri and exceedingly 936.000 for Quang Binh), the tourist market from these two provinces would be a timely solution to increase the number of visitors to Hue.
Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong, director of Netin Travelling and Information Company Limited, said that Quang Binh and Quang Tri tourists usually know intimately about Hue. Most of these people have already visited Hue; therefore, to effectively attract these two province’s travelers, the tour products should be new ones, which have never been experienced by them before, instead of traditional or heritage-oriented tours which may not attract tourists in the future.
“In the recent field-trip, the enterprises were totally impressed by new destinations in Hue such as the Lonely Tree and Do Do primary school which are the two settings in Mat Biec (Dreamy Eyes) movie; enjoying seafood at Con Toc; experiencing Tam Giang Lagoon, Lap An Lagoon and Bach Ma Village; attending coral reef scuba diving and swimming at Ngoc Island (Son Cha - Lang Co). These are new tourist attractions which are really suitable for the exploitation direction of Quang Binh’s enterprises,” evaluated Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong.
He also said that after these field trips, enterprises in Quang Binh had organized 3-day & 2-night, and 2-day &1-night tours to Hue. Once these tour packages were announced, they were immediately booked by tourists and received numerous positive feedback. By the end of June, there would be four groups of tourists visiting Hue to explore the above mentioned new destinations.
Beholding sunset on Tam Giang Lagoon - an enjoyable experience when visiting Hue
Supporting and aiding each other to recover
Ms. Duong Thi Cong Ly, Vice-Chairwoman of Travel Agency Association, claimed that Hue not only cooperates with the other two provinces to bring their tourists to Hue but also actively takes visitors from Hue to Quang Binh and Quang Tri. The long-term cooperation works only when the three regions all support each other and co-benefit from this cooperation.
The representative of Vietravel - Hue branch said that since the pandemic was successfully put under control by our government, Vietravel has recently launched on the market the Quang Binh sight-seeing and travelling tour packages. The 2-night & 1-day tour exploring Ozo Park – Paradise Cave has preferably been chosen by many Hue tourists, and, it could be a case that in the coming summertime, despite the lack of time, the number of visitors to these both places would definitely increase.
Recently, the Tourism Association of these three provinces had a meeting and came to the agreement that all of them would together intensify mutual aid to overcome this challenging period. These three associations have committed to sell and promote each other’s tourism. Quang Binh Tourism Association’s representative said that enterprises in Quang Binh were designing a tour program, building the mutual maquette, and selling this product together. Besides, he also focused on the importance of limiting the competition to support each other to overcome the difficulty.
In the connection of destinations among three provinces, it seems that Quang Tri is the one that suffers a loss as it is just a port of call. However, it is known that this province is swiftly forming the Cồn Cỏ discovering tour; therefore, it would be a vital destination in tourists’ itinerary. Furthermore, three provinces all expect this destination of Quang Tri is also a factor increasing the diversity and attractiveness of the mutual tour.
Leader of the Department of Tourism said that connection is one of the most vital measures to recover tourism. The connection among three areas not only supports each other in visitor source but also creates a tour group to attract tourists on a national scale, which increases the diversity and attractiveness for all three provinces’ tourism.
“Hue Tourism would support enterprises to the utmost in designing tours by appropriate mechanisms and policies. Particularly, the authorities would aid in product and tour promotion for these companies and work with transportation firms to support traveling to the three mentioned provinces,” claimed Mr. Le Huu Minh - authorised director of the Provincial Tourism Department.
Story and photos: Duc Quang