Four central provinces seek ways to boost tourism after COVID-19

March 17, 2020 | 21:56

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Officials from the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), tourism associations of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Gia Lai and Dak Lak, and the Binh Dinh Department of Tourism have met to discuss measures to stimulate tourism after the COVID-19 outbreak is contained.

four central provinces seek ways to boost tourism after covid 19

Da Dia Reef, a tourist attraction in Phu Yen. (Photo: VNA)

In a meeting held in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province on March 6, VITA Vice President Vu The Binh said the association has selected the four central provinces for a tourism stimulus programme because they are relatively low-risk areas at present, which is the most important factor.

Speaking about Binh Dinh as an example, Binh said though the province has seen 60-percent declines in the number of tourist arrivals and tourism revenue in January and February, the situation has been improved since the end of last month.

The VITA launched a tourism stimulus alliance last month to help boost the industry, which has been severely hit by the epidemic, in the central coast and Central Highlands provinces, he noted.

The four provinces are viewed as emerging destinations in Vietnam, of which, Binh Dinh currently has the most developed infrastructure and highest touris arrivals so it would act as a hub linking other provinces. The idea is expected to help the domestic tourism sector weather the crisis caused by the COVID-19 spread.

Director of the Binh Dinh Department of Tourism Nguyen Van Dung said the number of visitors to the province has gradually increased since air services between Quy Nhon and Hanoi back to normal with eight flights per day while those between Quy Nhon and HCM City have increased to seven.

Nguyen Ngoc Tan from the HCM City Tourism Association emphasised that the programme should involve not only discounts but also quality improvement to attract tourists.

VNA

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