2024 an optimistic year for tourism & hospitality

This achievement recognised the great efforts of Vietnam government authorities in tourism administration and tourism promotion.

Steve Wolstenholme, president & CEO Hoiana Resort & Golf

Since our inception, we have adopted the principle of project development in parallel with local development, towards sustainability. Environmental protection activities are applied comprehensively in all resort’s operation procedure.

People come to Vietnam and they can experience a lot more on the culture side, not just hospitality side. Golf tourism can be one of the thriving factors to promote Vietnam tourism and hospitality on the global map and to attract many more international tourists, for example. This is because Vietnam has great potential to develop golf tourism thanks to its long coastline, diverse terrain, a tropical monsoon climate, and beautiful natural scenery.

Taking golf tourism in Quang Nam province as an example: three golf course projects here, including Hoiana Shore Golf Club (HSGC), have attracted a large number of tourists passionate about this sport, especially international guests. In 2023 alone, HSGC welcomed more than 65,000 golfers, 90 per cent of which were international ones.

To leverage the potential, human resources for golf industry need to be improved both professional skill and foreign language skill. In addition, golf courses in Vietnam should connect with each other to create a tour so that golfers can experience all golf courses throughout Vietnam.

Besides, ancillary services such as dining, shopping, and nightlife activities also need to be improved in terms of quantity and quality, thereby attracting international tourists to come and stay longer.

In terms of the environment, we have a modern closed process of collecting, transporting, treating, and disposing waste. We also have an advanced waste recycling machine which can recycle 500kg of food waste into 200-300kg of organic fertiliser within 1-3 days. To save energy, Hoiana installed nearly 15,000 square metres of solar panels, expecting to generate more than 2.5 million kW of electricity each year and reduce more than 3,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

In 2023, Chinese tourists started returning to Vietnam, but the recovery rate of such tourists in Vietnam is low. Therefore, we hope more Chinese tourists will return to Vietnam in 2024.

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s culinary is globally recognised by its renowned street food. We also have high potential in medium and high-end fine dining. Discovering culture via cuisine will be one of the important hooks to attract tourists and make them stay longer.

Hoiana Resort & Golf is also expected to become a new must-visit destination for food lovers. We currently have nearly 20 restaurants serving a variety of culinary options. Next year, we expect to open more food and beverage outlets.