Promote and advertise to contribute to positioning the image and value of Thanh Hoa tourism.

Promotion is both a key task and a solution to help boost tourism development. Therefore, in addition to investing in tourism development and diversifying products, promotion is identified as an important task for the tourism industry in the current context.

May Waterfall in Thach Lam Commune (Thach Thanh) in summer. Photo: Le Cong Binh

Variety of activities

Based on the advantages of natural resources and human resources, Thanh Hoa tourism is being positioned as a diverse destination, including sea resort tourism - a key product; heritage tourism; eco-tourism; at the same time, a number of other complementary tourism types are being developed. To position the image and value of Thanh Hoa tourism destination, communication work to raise awareness of the role and position of tourism in general, the diversity of tourism products in particular, is extremely important. Because, through that, it not only contributes to creating a sense of shared responsibility in tourism development, but also attracts and increases the length of stay, increases spending, as well as the ability of tourists to return.

Implementing the Tourism Development Program of Thanh Hoa province for the period of 2021-2025 of the 19th Provincial Party Committee, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province has developed and deployed Plan 233/KH-UBND dated November 3, 2021, emphasizing the task of innovation, improving the effectiveness of propaganda, promotion and tourism promotion. Accordingly, Thanh Hoa province has been focusing on promoting and promoting tourism on the media and on tourism websites, youtube channels, facebook pages, and fanpages promoting Thanh Hoa tourism. At the same time, organizing cultural, sports and tourism events to attract visitors; implementing tasks to build the Thanh Hoa tourism brand. Hiring a major media company to produce short, unique, concise, and emotional videos to introduce Thanh Hoa tourism.

Along with that, build and organize the propaganda campaign "Thanh Hoa - Friendly Destination", "Thanh Hoa people travel to Thanh Hoa", "Each citizen is a tour guide". Organize the production of databases, documents, publications, and items serving tourism propaganda and promotion. Coordinate with airlines to build Thanh Hoa tourism promotion programs on flights to and from Thanh Hoa and international flights to and from Vietnam; coordinate promotion at airports. Build an electronic tourism information portal, tourism website, smart tourism application on mobile devices; build and maintain a youtube channel, facebook page, and fanpage to serve Thanh Hoa tourism promotion.

In addition, tourism promotion has been focused on through the development and implementation of the project of applying information technology in promoting Thanh Hoa tourism. At the same time, implementing programs of association, cooperation in tourism development, connecting tours and routes with provinces and cities that are key markets of Thanh Hoa tourism. Organizing the announcement of new tours, routes and tourist destinations; developing and implementing intra-provincial tourism route projects. Organizing delegations of travel businesses, media units, domestic and international press agencies to Thanh Hoa to survey destinations, tourism products and services, connecting tourist areas, routes and destinations. Coordinating with airlines and travel agencies to organize tourism promotion and stimulus activities in provinces with flights and expected to open flights to Thanh Hoa. Participating in promoting and introducing Thanh Hoa tourism in traditional and potential tourist markets abroad; Expanding cooperation with foreign provinces/cities, embassies, agencies, international organizations, organizing tourism promotion programs, introducing destinations in friendly countries on the occasion of important political, diplomatic, cultural, and sports events between Thanh Hoa and friendly countries. Implementing cooperation activities with countries and international organizations to exchange experiences, seek technical support, attract investment in tourism development...

Based on the above orientation, in 2022 and from the beginning of 2023 until now, the province has organized a series of events and activities to promote and advertise tourism. Thereby, contributing to helping tourism quickly overcome the crisis period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and regain growth momentum. Typical activities include the ceremony to announce the Thanh Hoa tourism logo; launching the 2022 tourism stimulus program and welcoming international tourists to Thanh Hoa. Organizing cultural, sports, tourism activities and events, promoting tourism products/services to restore and open Thanh Hoa tourism. Working conference and signing of tourism cooperation agreements between Thanh Hoa province and large corporations such as: SunGroup, VinGroup... and airlines.

Along with that, the province also organized a Thanh Hoa tourism stimulus program on the sidelines of the International Tourism Fair in Hanoi; at the same time, participated in events, fairs, and conferences linking tourism between the four North Central provinces and linking the North Central provinces with key tourism provinces/cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Can Tho, Quang Nam... Propagating, promoting, and promoting tourism through mass media channels and on digital platforms, notably implementing the promotional campaign "Thanh Hoa - Safe and friendly destination"; "Thanh Hoa tourism - four seasons of fragrance" through short, unique, emotional videos to introduce the people and landscapes of Thanh Hoa on mass media and online channels, social networks...

Go into depth

It can be said that if promotion and advertising activities are implemented systematically and effectively, they will not only contribute to increasing the number of tourists coming to Thanh Hoa; but also attract investment resources for tourism development. At the same time, improving the quality, efficiency and professionalism in tourism promotion and advertising activities will also contribute to building and developing the Thanh Hoa tourism brand. From there, creating consensus and high unanimity in the awareness and actions of all levels, sectors, localities, units and people, determined to build Thanh Hoa tourism into a spearhead economic sector and develop sustainably. However, to promote and advertise effectively, it is necessary to increase investment in tourism; focus on developing high-quality products and increasing the competitiveness of service products... Because tourism is a synthetic economic sector and it is like a "cycle" in which internal factors both support and affect each other.

Not to mention, today, with the strong explosion of modern media, especially social networks, tourism promotion and advertising must also quickly approach new communication methods and solutions that have a profound influence and bring higher efficiency. In particular, a powerful "catalyst" that needs to be effectively utilized is social networks such as tiktok, facebook, youtube, which are very popular today. We can take a very simple example to visualize. Instead of writing an article introducing and promoting a destination with thousands of words, with 1 or 2 photos and posting it on the website as before; now, destinations and tourism businesses are paying attention to "catching trends", or taking advantage of "hot trends" to put the content they want to promote on social networking platforms, especially tiktok and facebook. That could be a new image of the destination; new or unique - strange - different products; new and interesting dishes; an attractive check-in point for young people... With many vivid, diverse, colorful, attractive images and sounds, capable of "hitting" interests, arousing curiosity and urging tourists to explore and experience the destination. I think this is a trend that needs to be taken seriously by managers, localities, and businesses to have appropriate, long-term and effective communication solutions or promotion methods.

The successful organization of the Sam Son Sea Tourism Festival in 2023 has contributed to promoting the image of Sam Son tourism in particular and Thanh Hoa tourism in general to a large number of friends and tourists.

Vietnam's tourism has recovered and developed strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the "inherent" limitations of tourism have not been overcome, including limitations in tourism promotion and advertising. To contribute to overcoming these shortcomings, on May 18, 2023, the Government issued Resolution No. 82/NQ-CP on key tasks and solutions to accelerate recovery and accelerate sustainable and effective tourism development; in which special emphasis is placed on the tasks of product development and tourism communication, advertising and promotion. Accordingly, the Government requires relevant ministries, branches and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to focus on developing and innovating diverse and unique tourism types and services based on potential and competitive advantages, associated with promoting heritage values ​​and national cultural identity such as sea and island resort tourism, historical and cultural tourism, eco-tourism, agricultural and rural tourism, MICE tourism, golf tourism, medical tourism, culinary tourism; at the same time, improving competitiveness in terms of price and service quality.

Develop a national tourism brand associated with history, tradition, national cultural identity, seas and islands; build Vietnam into a truly safe, attractive, humane, hospitable, convenient destination, "satisfying tourists, warming the hearts of hosts". Build a database of international tourist markets; innovate methods, tools, and apply digital technology in tourism promotion; promote the power of communication and increase promotion on social networks. Organize tourism promotion with a focus, key points, in line with the orientation of product development and tourism brands based on research results and market forecasts. Continue to expand and diversify markets with the potential for rapid growth, large sources of visitors, high spending and long-term stays; promote socialization of tourism promotion, mobilize cooperation from representative agencies abroad, and take advantage of the role of Vietnamese cultural centers in countries. Effectively deploy investment resources for tourism promotion and advertising activities through the Tourism Development Support Fund; organize research and develop a project to establish Vietnam Tourism Promotion Offices abroad, first of all in some key tourism markets.

Integrate the promotion of Vietnam's tourism brand and image into the Vietnam National Brand Program and trade promotion programs chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade at home and abroad, linking trade promotion with tourism promotion; integrate the promotion of Vietnam's tourism brand and image into the development of various types of commercial infrastructure serving tourism. Effectively implement the Rural Tourism Development Program in the construction of new rural areas for the period 2021-2025; promote the development of tourism products related to agriculture, tourism services associated with rural landscapes, community culture, increase experiences, maximize tourism in agricultural areas, associated with rural areas and farmers, promote rural industries, craft villages, and services. At the same time, promote connections and support rural communities to do agricultural and rural tourism through travel businesses; Forming “satellite destinations” with large tourist centers to spread rural destinations, especially to international tourists. Strengthening tourism promotion communication, building promotional communication programs, communication campaigns in new ways. In addition, localities focus on developing each locality a typical tourism product, a typical destination...

The orientations and solutions proposed in Resolution No. 82/NQ-CP above, it is thought, are all reference points for Thanh Hoa province. In particular, tourism is identified as one of the key development programs of the province, so strengthening communication and promotion, or building an effective communication and promotion program and strategy is something that needs to be focused on.

Article and photos: Hoang Xuan

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/du-lich/day-manh-xuc-tien-quang-ba-gop-phan-dinh-vi-hinh-anh-va-gia-tri-du-lich-thanh-hoa/186913.htm