Binh Dinh, neighbours cooperate on tourism

Eastern Maldives: Tourists take photos at Eo Gio Pass to preserve the spectacular scene. - Photo courtesy of Golden Life Travel Company

The province’s highlighted destinations and tour options were presented at the seminar. These included Cu Lao Xanh Island, vestiges of the ancient Champa kingdom, beautiful beaches such as Ky Co, considered the Maldives of Viet Nam, and Eo Gio Pass.

Nguyen Thi Xuan Lan, vice chairwoman of the Binh Đinh Provincial Tourism Association, said the local authorities and travel agents had focused on co-operating with partners in the Central Highlands and southern central regions to connect destinations in their regions and create new tour packages for visitors.

Lan suggested that instead of buying flights directly to Quy Nhon city in Binh Đinh Province, tourists can save money by flying to Tuy Hoà city in Phu Yen Province, then driving to Quy Nhon and Pleiku city, Gia Lai Province and departing from Pleiku Airport.

“That’s a convenient way to have extraordinary experiences because tourists can travel to different destinations in the route,” she said.

Tran Thanh Thuy from Fidi Tour Company pointed out the fact that in the high season, travel companies struggle to book hotels for large groups of tourists. Lan suggested that as a solution tourists can book rooms at new hotels which will offer favourable prices during their soft opening periods this summer.

“Some 2,000 rooms at hotels and 1,500 rooms at resorts will be available to serve tourists this summer,” said Lan.

“Customers often book rooms at famous hotels which have been already operating for a long time, leading to those properties being over-booked and more expensive. I suggest that tourists can book rooms at new two-star hotels whose quality can be compared with old three-star hotels.”

Binh Dinh Province’s tourism industry has been building special tours for older people, creating opportunities for elderly travelers to make friends with each other and relax.

“The tour is designed especially for the old people with separate rooms at hotels and resorts to provide a relaxing time and tranquility,” said Lan.

“The customers will have the chance to enjoy food and meditate following the guidance of experts.”

Quy Nhơn is an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists, especially those from Japan and France. In recent years, the average number of tourists coming to Quy Nhơn has increased 20 per cent annually.