Da Nang tourism accelerates, preparing for new game

"Transformation" from the right policy

Closing 7 months, Da Nang tourism received good news when the number of international visitors is estimated to reach 2.5 million, an increase of 34.7% and reaching the target for the whole year of 2024 early. It is forecasted that this year, foreign visitors can reach the same number as before the pandemic (3.5 million).

Da Nang successfully attracts "eagles" to invest in tourism

Going back in time to the 2000s, Da Nang was still a tourist lowland and almost unnamed on the tourism map of the Central region. Tourists often just passed through Da Nang and stayed in Hue and Hoi An. The whole city only had about 70 hotels and 20 travel agencies/branches. But then, with the right policies and the determination to innovate in tourism thinking of the city's leaders and people, Da Nang had a spectacular transformation journey.

In 2009, when tourism in the Han River city began to change, Da Nang welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors. By 2019, Da Nang welcomed nearly 8.7 million visitors; total tourism revenue reached approximately 31 trillion VND, 30 times higher than in 2009.

The impressive milestones include 2009 – the year the first cable car line of Ba Na Hills was inaugurated; 2012, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort – a symbol of luxury resort in Vietnam was born; or 2018 – when the Golden Bridge made the name of the city of Han River famous around the world. Also during that period of transformation, the international fireworks competition, later upgraded to the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, created a different attraction for Da Nang tourism.

It is no coincidence that the World Tourism Organization twice awarded Da Nang the award "Asia's Leading Festival Event Destination" in 2016 and 2022. The titles and rankings continuously name Da Nang not only because of its nature but also because of its attractive service experiences.

According to Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh - Director of Da Nang Department of Tourism, the driving force for the city to be determined to develop sustainable tourism is the attention and support of the Politburo, the Government, the Central Ministries and branches; including Resolution No. 33 on building and developing Da Nang City in the period of industrialization and modernization of the country; Resolution No. 43 on building and developing Da Nang City to 2030, with a vision to 2045. These are important, long-term guiding documents, opening up many opportunities and great potential for Da Nang to develop.

Specifically, since Resolution 33 in 2003, Da Nang was determined to soon become one of the international tourism centers; There is a mechanism to pilot calling for domestic and foreign investment to build a number of high-class international standard tourist areas.

In 2022, the "Project on tourism development orientation of Da Nang City to 2030, vision to 2045" proposed 12 major development orientations such as: orientation of tourism development space; orientation of infrastructure development for tourism; orientation of tourism product development... clearly showing the focus on tourism product development, improving quality and diversity to attract high-spending tourists and international visitors.

“Any tourism market can accommodate all customer segments. However, Da Nang tourism is at world-class level thanks to investment and market leadership from investors with financial potential at home and abroad. Currently, the city has many domestic investors creating high-end tourism products, bringing the Da Nang and Vietnam tourism brand to the international market,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Tai - Chairman of the Board of Directors of New Connection Event and Tourism Joint Stock Company (Necotour).

Creating conditions for breakthrough tourism products

Resolution 08 of the Politburo on “Developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector” clearly states that the development of the tourism industry has been contributing to promoting economic restructuring and on-site export; preserving and promoting the value of cultural heritage and natural resources. The tourism industry has created many jobs, improved people's lives as well as promoted the process of international integration, promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam.

In particular, Da Nang is now considered a model with a breakthrough on the national tourism map, becoming a safe, friendly and attractive destination for world tourists. However, in the new context with changes in demand, tastes, market shifts and global tourism trends in the coming time... there will be no small challenges if Da Nang tourism does not have a breakthrough, even leading to the risk of falling behind.

Singapore continues to invest heavily in tourism, focusing on entertainment and resort products.

When it comes to breakthroughs, Singapore is a must-see. Its boundless creativity has helped the island nation of 6 million people attract 13.6 million international visitors in 2023. To explain this incredible achievement, we need to look back to the past to look at this special milestone.

For example, under Lee Hsien Loong, the tiny island nation opened two integrated casino resorts in 2010 to boost tourism. According to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, the two resorts have had a significant impact on economic development, contributing 1-2% to the country’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. Visitor numbers doubled to 19.1 million in the decade to 2019.

Phase 2 of the resort development is now underway, with two major expansion projects worth more than S$10 billion (US$7.4 billion). The casino portion of the two resorts, a major source of revenue, will also be expanded. Meanwhile, Marina Bay Sands, famous for its ship-shaped rooftop garden spanning three skyscrapers, is set to add a fourth hotel tower.

Clearly, despite the impressive results of the tourism industry since the pandemic, Singapore is planning to invest heavily in infrastructure and tourism products.

Looking at Da Nang, it is undeniable that the city of the Han River has been a place where "eagles" have nested and worked together for a long time, contributing greatly to creating competitive value for the tourism industry. With a launch pad from a series of special mechanisms and policies that have just been approved, especially the establishment of the first free trade zone in Vietnam, Da Nang is expected to have key, focused investments to increase experiences, ready to compete with other destinations in the country and the region.

According to experts, to turn danger into opportunity and take the lead in the global destination competition, Da Nang needs a mechanism to attract investment resources, retain large investors with heart and strategic vision, thereby continuing to diversify tourism products, develop both quantity and quality, create high-class, unique and exclusive tourism works and products to position the brand...

“Recently, Da Nang has added many new products such as art shows, walking streets, night markets… Da Nang also has great potential to develop night-time economic complexes, associated with entertainment, cuisine, shopping… which without a suitable mechanism will be very difficult to succeed”, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Trung Luong, former Deputy Director of the Institute of Tourism Research affirmed.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-lich-da-nang-tang-toc-chuan-bi-cho-cuoc-choi-moi-185240813141449898.htm