Tourists coming to Hue for relaxation in May 2020
On the afternoon of May 30, at the headquarters of the provincial People's Committee, a signing ceremony and announcement of the action program to restore and develop tourism in the three localities of Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam in a new context was held; at the same time, the program of stimulating tourism of three localities was also launched.
Links must be stronger
So far, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam have had more than 10 years of cooperation in the field of tourism. It is this linkage that helps the localities to have a connection in the management and support of businesses, ensuring safety for tourists, as well as sharing human resources and experience in tourism business.
According to the statistics of the Tourism Management Departments of the three localities, in 2019, the number of domestic tourists to Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam was 2.63 million, 5.16 million and 3.12 million respectively. The number of international visitors was 2.19 million, 3.52 million and 4.66 million respectively.
However, from the beginning of 2020, with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the number of domestic and international tourists coming to Vietnam in general and the Central regions in particular was affected heavily. The number of visitors to the three localities in the first 5 months of 2020 only reached about 50% over the same period, and there were over 95% of workers in the industry affected.
Although the pandemic within the country has basically been controlled, it is still complicated all over the world, the international tourist markets are still closed. According to the forecast from now til the end of 2020, domestic tourists will account for 95% of total visitors in 2020.
From this forecast, as well as through recent surveys and assessments, many solutions have been proposed, focusing on how to stimulate domestic tourism demand to compensate a serious decrease in international visitors, to reduce losses for businesses, to create jobs for workers and to link and support each other.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Phan Ngoc Tho affirmed that development cooperation is a "vital" issue for tourism activities. This is even more evident in the post-COVID-19 tourism restoration. More than ever, it is necessary to have the hands of the relevant agencies; local authorities must show their determination and must really join in with the spirit of supporting each other for mutual development.
Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phan Ngoc Tho delivering an opening speech at the signing ceremony
“We will hold hands, unite and cooperate to bring the tourism industry of the three localities in particular and the whole country in general overcoming difficulties in the pandemic period, to develop it to a new level worth of being the leading economic sectors of the country,” said Chairman Phan Ngoc Tho.
Establishing tourism development "triangle"
Located in the center of the Central area, the tourism industries in Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam play important roles in the country's tourism economy and development, and are important connections and motivation of developing tourism among regions.
At the signing ceremony, the delegates assessed that the three localities are home to many heritage sites and landscapes, favored by nature for their beautiful long coastline, fine white sand beaches and fresh air, etc., they are the conditions for exploiting the services chosen by domestic tourists for their traveling demands.
Notably, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam have hold many major cultural and tourism events, including international events with profound forms and content to promote and showcase local tourism images. These are the comparative strengths for the three localities to connect, take advantage of their own strengths to build supportive products and tours, which increase attractiveness to attract domestic tourists in the coming time. These aim towards forming a tourism "triangle" in a new context.
Leaders of three localities of Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam signing a memorandum of cooperation in tourism.
"Safe and hospitable destination"
Accordingly, the three localities signed an agreement with the message that "The destinations of Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam are safe and hospitable"; thus aiming to strengthen the cooperation between the governments of the three provinces and cities in the role of directing and connecting Tourism Associations and businesses operating in the field of travel and tourism, associating with major tourism partners and improving the effectiveness of destination promotion, investment and promotion activities. The stimulus programs with good incentives are widely implemented, but also ensure the highest safety standards, contributing to promoting tourism development of the whole region.
Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phan Thien Dinh said that to the three local management agencies, the most favorable mechanisms and policies will be created to effectively implement the tourism stimulus program; they will formulate good incentive policies for travelers and tour operators to take tourists to three localities; agreeing on an action plan in domestic and foreign markets; jointly building and connecting the local valuable products to create a service chain in the product series "Three localities - One destination"; unifying communication content, and promoting tourism for all three localities on central and local information and communication channels.
| At the signing ceremony, the three local tourism associations in turns signed with 7 major partners on transportation, accommodation and travel to get stimulus packages and attractive promotions to attract more tourists to coming to the three locations. |
Story and photos: Duc Quang