How destinations invest in tourism to "not rest on their laurels"

How to create "tourism gold mines"

Singapore - an island nation that does not possess many natural resources - has made up for that lack with a tourism infrastructure system, including high-class resorts, high-end service complexes, and large-scale shows that attract millions of visitors each year.

Singapore continuously invests to attract high-spending tourists (Photo: Shutterstock).

The country has also opened up to casino tourism to attract high-spending visitors. Casinos have contributed positively to tourism growth, helping the number of visitors double to 19.1 million in a decade, as of 2019. Currently, two integrated casino resorts are continuing to expand with a total investment value of more than 10 billion Singapore dollars.

When talking about the remarkable development of tourism in Asia, we cannot fail to mention Macao (China) with the growth of casino tourism at 28.2% per year in the period 2002-2013. Casino resorts here are still investing in adding new products and services, making Macao a world tourism and entertainment center.

Macao is gradually becoming a world tourism and entertainment center thanks to open thinking and strong investment (Photo: Shutterstock).

Also one of the leading countries in tourism development, Thailand constantly upgrades the experience from cuisine, spirituality to ecology, 24-hour entertainment. Coming to Thailand, tourists are not only fascinated by the 5-star resorts in Phuket, but also enjoy and spend money in shopping complexes combined with entertainment, luxury restaurants such as Icon Siam, Asiatique, Siam Paragon,...

It can be seen that the general formula in developing tourism "gold mines" - even when not possessing a gold mine of natural resources - is systematic investment in infrastructure and service products.

Da Nang and the ambition to reach the continent

In Vietnam, the coastal city of Da Nang is increasingly reaching out on the international tourism map. Not only relying on nature, and despite having products such as InterContinental Danang, Sun World Ba Na Hills, Golden Bridge, International Fireworks Festival... Da Nang still has a product renewal project in 2024.

That is investing in Asia Park by launching the "entertainment district" Da Nang Downtown with the highlight of jetski and flyboard show combined with nightly fireworks "Symphony of River"; or launching a series of new shows at Ba Na Hills... Ba Na Hills also increased its total investment to 39,000 billion VND, with the goal of becoming the leading tourist area in the continent.

On the occasion of September 2nd holiday, Da Nang welcomed nearly 308,000 visitors, an increase of 21.2% over the same period last year. Total tourism revenue reached more than 1,200 billion VND, an increase of 33.8% over the same period. At Ba Na Hills alone, the number of visitors during the 4-day holiday is estimated to increase by 16%. Tourists to Da Nang Downtown increased by 268% over the same period.

Da Nang needs to invest in expanding large-scale, high-class projects to serve tourism (Photo: Nguyen Duong).

Mr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said that Da Nang needs a large-scale tourist area to create a driving force for city tourism.

Citing Ba Na Hills as a typical example, Mr. Dung analyzed: "When building a large-scale tourist area, it is necessary to aim for sustainable development based on the spirit of three pillars. First, economic sustainability, attracting more visitors, creating more jobs, and increasing revenue for the budget.

The second is sustainability in cultural values, consistent with the unique characteristics of Ba Na destination. The third is harmony with the environment. Ba Na has done very well in these things. We believe that Sun World Ba Na Hills will develop to its full potential, achieve a worthy position and contribute more to the economy, society and tourism of Da Nang."

The expert added that Da Nang needs to boldly invest more and expand large-scale, high-class projects. More importantly, Da Nang needs to have a policy mechanism to attract strategic investors, "leading cranes" committed to long-term companionship.

Sharing the same view, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Trung Luong, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Tourism Research, said that Da Nang is a destination with many advantages to move quickly and steadily on the tourism track, especially when a series of special policies have been approved, piloting the construction of Vietnam's first free trade zone.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Trung Luong said: "This is an opportunity to develop tourism products and new types that have not yet been opened in the thinking and approach of Vietnamese people."

According to experts, not only Da Nang, if it stops and "rests on its laurels", any destination will be left far behind on the race track.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/cach-cac-diem-den-dau-tu-cho-du-lich-de-khong-ngu-quen-tren-chien-thang-20240905114602600.htm