“Runway” for tourism to take off

The process of formation and development of Binh Thuan tourism is a long journey. It is the continuous efforts and striving of all levels, sectors, localities and people. The support of investors, domestic and foreign tourists has contributed to the development of Binh Thuan tourism.

But above all, it is the attention and correct guidelines of the Party, specifically Resolution 06 on tourism development to 2025, with a vision to 2030 issued by the Provincial Party Committee. Specific goals, directional policies and timely strategic solutions have created favorable conditions for Binh Thuan tourism to take off.

Create a runway

Back in 2019, Binh Thuan tourism industry welcomed over 6.4 million visitors, revenue of 15,000 billion VND; in 2020 welcomed 3.2 million visitors, revenue of 9,400 billion VND and by 2021 only 1.7 million visitors with revenue of over 4,000 billion VND. Comparing the above figures shows that Binh Thuan tourism industry has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. How to recover and develop the tourism industry again? A difficult problem but in need of a satisfactory answer. In response to the above practical requirements, on October 24, 2021, Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution 06 on tourism development to 2025, with a vision to 2030 with the highest determination to remove difficulties for the tourism industry as well as open a new development stage with many expectations. Resolution 06 sets out the strategic direction of developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector, a pillar of socio-economic development of the province; building Mui Ne National Tourist Area into one of the leading destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. To achieve the above goal, Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee has requested to review and adjust the integrated tourism development plan in the Provincial Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. In which, the plan reshapes the tourism development space in some coastal areas and potential areas to call for and attract investment in resort projects, high-end entertainment areas, etc. The Resolution also proposed specific solutions to support tourism businesses to recover and develop in the context of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The timely and appropriate "drop point" of the Resolution acts as a lever to help the tourism industry overcome difficulties, promote its potential and strengths to contribute to the development of the province.

After more than 2 years of implementation, the important contents of Resolution 06 have been deployed with a spirit of urgency and determination. The entire political system of the Party, government, organizations, people and businesses in the province have joined hands and contributed to creating momentum for the development of the tourism industry. All of these drastic actions have created a new face for Binh Thuan's tourism industry. Clearly shown through impressive figures such as: The number of tourists to the province increased by an average of 16.28%/year (of which: international visitors increased by an average of 2.07 times/year, domestic visitors increased by an average of 14.8%/year). Revenue from tourism activities increased by an average of 16.56%/year. In 2022, the whole province welcomed 5.7 million visitors (of which international visitors accounted for about 1.5%); revenue from tourism activities reached 13.7 billion VND, contributing to the province's GRDP of 7.04%. In 2023 (up to October 2023), the whole province welcomed 7.3 million visitors (of which international visitors accounted for about 2.9%); revenue from tourism activities reached 18.8 billion VND, contributing to the province's GRDP of about 8.77%. Notably, for the first time, Binh Thuan entered the top 9 leading localities in the country with tourism revenue in the first 6 months of 2023 with a revenue of over 10,000 billion VND or more. Reaching the target of welcoming visitors in 2023 ahead of schedule with nearly 7 million visitors, exceeding the annual plan by 3.93%, up 75.8% over the same period.

In particular, in 2023, Binh Thuan is the host of the National Tourism Year 2023 with the theme "Binh Thuan - Green Convergence". Binh Thuan has organized many activities with many events and festivals taking place continuously throughout the localities in the province and across 41 provinces and cities nationwide, receiving the active participation of many people and tourists, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere.

Paving the way for the next phase

The results achieved confirm the correct policy from Resolution 06. However, in reality, Binh Thuan's tourism industry still faces many difficulties and limitations when the infrastructure serving tourism development is still limited. Attracting investment in tourism complex projects, high-end resorts associated with entertainment, recreation, trade, services, and sports tourism is not strong. The implementation of tourism projects in some areas is still slow and has not received due attention. The awareness of some people participating in tourism services about sustainable tourism development is still limited. Tourism human resources are still lacking in quantity and quality. Although tourism products have improved, they have not created a breakthrough and have not had a strong attraction for tourists. Environmental sanitation in some places is not good, especially the situation of waste and wastewater in tourist areas, beaches, residential areas, and public places...

To get closer and achieve the goals set out in Resolution 06, Binh Thuan will complete the tourism development plan - Focus on building, completing and implementing the Master Plan for Mui Ne National Tourism Area to 2040, with a vision to 2050; Successfully organize the remaining activities in the National Tourism Year 2023. In addition, urgently complete the construction and implement the Project for Developing the province's night-time economy to 2030. Build and form a Binh Thuan tourism ecosystem towards the criteria of "Safety - friendliness - quality". In addition, Binh Thuan will complete infrastructure, attract investment, develop diversity, and improve the quality of tourism products. In particular, focus on investing in completing the infrastructure system serving tourism development: Phan Thiet Airport (civil aviation), traffic routes, breakwaters, water supply and drainage systems, wastewater and waste treatment systems, etc. to create a favorable environment for attracting and implementing tourism projects. At the same time, call for investment in developing new and attractive types of tourism services, especially investing in large-scale projects, investing in high-end entertainment areas, shopping centers serving tourism development. Improve the quality, diversify tourism products and services and pay attention to developing tourism human resources in both quality and quantity.

It can be said that the results achieved after 2 years of implementing Resolution 06 on tourism development to 2025, with a vision to 2030 issued by the Provincial Party Committee, Binh Thuan tourism is moving towards the future with the confidence of a national and international destination.

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