On the morning of November 15, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the Conference on rapid and sustainable development of Vietnam tourism. This is the second conference on tourism development held this year to find solutions to short-term and long-term problems for tourism development.
Recovery is relatively slow
According to data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in the first 10 months of 2023, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached nearly 10 million, an increase of 4.6 times over the same period last year, but only 69% compared to the same period in 2019 (before the pandemic); domestic visitors reached 98.7 million, showing signs of slowing down.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung admitted that international tourists to Vietnam are recovering relatively slowly.
According to Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, although the number of tourists has increased rapidly, the speed has now decreased, especially the revenue from domestic tourists has decreased significantly. Regarding the number of international tourists, although it has exceeded the plan, it is because Vietnam set a very low target (8 million arrivals).
Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of Vietjet Board of Directors, assessed that 2023 is a period full of fluctuations and challenges. Aviation has not yet made a profit; tourism, hotels, and restaurants are operating at a standstill.
International destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, the Central Heritage Road Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, etc. are seeing tens of thousands of "frozen" hotel rooms; entertainment services and restaurants are all stagnant. "We need to act urgently to make these destinations crowded again," said Ms. Thao.
Regarding the reasons, Minister Nguyen Van Hung pointed out that it was because some key markets had not regained growth momentum as before the pandemic; the work of connecting and exploiting new markets was still slow; the connection and restoration of international flight frequencies were still limited, etc.
In addition, Mr. Vu The Binh frankly said that the connection between regions, industries, and businesses is not good. According to economic expert Vo Tri Thanh, with Vietnam tourism, we have been reminded a lot about not being good at "selling".
Promote and expand visa exemption
According to Ms. Ngo Huong, Deputy General Director of Sales and Marketing of Vinpearl, it is time for us to create "destinations" that are both Vietnamese in character and highly international, in line with the globalization trend of the tourism industry.
Minister Nguyen Van Hung proposed exempting short-term visas for tourists from some potential, large-scale markets such as China, India... Expanding unilateral visa exemptions for citizens of countries with higher development levels than Vietnam, with large tourism spending such as Australia, Canada, the US, and the remaining countries in the European Union...
Consider and pilot the issuance of visas at border gates based on on-site personnel review for international tourists. Pilot the issuance of long-term visas (3 years, 5 years) to attract high-end tourist and retiree market segments.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism needs to pay attention to and develop a comprehensive project on promoting Vietnamese tourism in the international market, in which the Ministry is the leading unit, implementing nationwide, which will be more economical and effective - Mr. Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, suggested.
In the digital environment, tourism will be less dependent on seasons.
Attending the Conference and sharing about digital transformation in tourism, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized: An industry that wants to have breakthrough development often needs new space, new approach, new management, new technology to implement that innovation.
Digital space, digital approach, digital transformation and digital governance, digital technology are the opportunities for the tourism industry to have breakthrough development. The tourism industry should transform digitally strongly and resolutely, not considering digital transformation as a tool to automate tourism activities but as changing the way tourism is done, creating many new values for tourists.
In the digital environment, the space of the tourism industry will be much larger, the tourism industry will easily connect with other fields, other industries, other products, other provinces and regions so that the concept of tourism can be expanded. For example, it is possible to transform from destination thinking, promoting famous places to product thinking, not only what to see but also what to eat, what to buy, what to play... If so, tourism will also be less dependent on the season.
The tourism industry is a comprehensive economic sector that has difficulty in creating a tourism ecosystem, a value chain connecting customers with services. Tourist customers are one, but there are many service objects and if just one object in the value chain is poor, the customer's perception of Vietnamese tourism will be poor, even the perception of the whole of Vietnam will be bad.
Digital transformation and digital technology are the solutions to creating a tourism ecosystem and connecting value chains. When the State sees this value chain, it can harmoniously connect values and create final values so that customers can have a common feeling about Vietnamese tourism. Otherwise, the values will be separate and competitive. The most difficult thing is for the State to see the whole picture, have data to analyze, evaluate, warn early, make early adjustments, and digital transformation will help the tourism industry have a comprehensive picture and instantaneous information.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that the Ministry of Information and Communications and Vietnamese digital technology enterprises are ready to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to build digital platforms, solve major long-standing problems of the tourism industry and especially contribute to strongly innovating the tourism industry.
Forming regional linkages as driving forces for tourism growth
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged the tourism industry’s efforts in developing resources, products and contributing to the socio-economic development. However, it is also necessary to frankly acknowledge the shortcomings, limitations and weaknesses.
That is the tourism development linkage between ministries, sectors, and localities, especially in terms of management, promotion, product development, and human resources, which is not substantial and effective. There is still a situation of "everyone doing their own thing". Tourism products do not really have a focus, key points, and there are not many unique products with strong Vietnamese characteristics...
The Prime Minister emphasized a number of viewpoints on tourism development in the coming time. Accordingly, it is necessary to build a unique Vietnamese tourism brand; tourism development must be placed in the overall socio-economic development as a spearhead economic sector and in the direction of professionalism, quality and efficiency.
Regarding some tasks and solutions in the coming time, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested to carry out comprehensive and effective linkages, clearly assign responsibilities, promote the guiding role of national tourism agencies, and the leading and guiding role of major tourism centers. Form regional linkages as a driving force for tourism growth.
Building new and unique tourism models and products based on distinct potential and competitive advantages; improving the effectiveness of tourism promotion and advertising; accelerating digital transformation, forming and developing a smart tourism ecosystem in Vietnam...
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