Quang Ninh to implement measures to stimulate tourism demand

A view of Ha Long city, Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA)

Director of the provincial Tourism Department Pham Ngoc Thuy reported that the province welcomed an estimated 11.74 million visitors in the first 10 months this year, an increase of 10 percent compared to the same period last year. Of the figure, 4.22 million were foreign tourists.

Total revenues of the tourism sector in the 10 months amounted to 23.8 trillion VND (over 1 billion USD), up 22 percent year on year. The sector contributed 2.48 trillion VND to the State budget in in the first three quarters of the year, up 26 percent.

Tourism services have been developed in most localities in the province, with a wide range of products, meeting the diverse demands of various markets. However, the number of foreign tourists to Quang Ninh remains modest compared to other provinces and cities.

Nguyen Thi Bao, Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh Tourism Association proposed that the local hospitality industry should set floor prices to prevent unhealthy competition. She said the authorities should coordinate with travel agencies to set up linkages with counterparts in other localities, and conduct surveys for new tours and routes to Binh Lieu and Cam Pha.

Bao also called for more attention to training human resources, and the building of a business culture towards clean and friendly tourism.

Director of the Van Don international airport Pham Ngoc Sau affirmed that the airport wants to partner with travel agents to better exploit tourism sites in the province and serve customers with quality products. He said the airport will enhance service quality and open more air routes to both domestic and overseas destinations.

According to Sau, in order to increase the number of visitors to Quang Ninh, related agencies need to streamline administrative and customs procedures while bolstering promotion activities. He urged the provincial administration to open a bus route connecting Van Don and Quang Ninh’s neighbouring province of Lang Son.

Secretary of the provincial Party’s Committee Nguyen Xuan Ky stressed that the authorities always attach importance to developing tourism and is working to improving the business environment to attract investment in the sector.

He suggested local travel agents try to renew their traditional products while developing new products meeting the demand of different segments of customers to offer more choices for visitors.

The conference saw the signing of several cooperation agreements among tourist companies.

The tourism sector in Quang Ninh province has been growing at a fast pace in recent years. Quang Ninh is endowed with natural advantages for sea and island tourism. It has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and more than 2,000 islands and islets which account for two-thirds of the total number in Vietnam.

It is home to popular destinations such as Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long, Ha Long Bay National Park and some islands.

In particular, Ha Long Bay literally “descending dragon bay”, was twice recognised as a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994 and 2000.

In 2018, Ha Long Bay made it into the top 15 Instagrammed global cruise destinations based on a survey of 1.8 million posts tagged on various ships and ports by travel cruise site SeaHub.

Last year, Quang Ninh hosted the National Tourism Year 2018 under the theme “Ha Long-Heritage, Wonder, Friendly Destination”.

The province welcomed 12.3 million visitors, including 5.2 million foreigners, and earned 24 trillion VND (1.03 billion USD) in tourism revenue.

The operation of the Van Don International Airport in December 2018 is expected to help Quang Ninh achieve its target of welcoming 15-16 million tourists, including 7 million foreigners, by 2020 and 30 million arrivals, including 15 million foreigners, by 2030.