How does Quang Nam province exploit the potential of the "gem" of rural tourism?

Quang Nam province has a resource that can meet the needs of tourists, especially in rural areas. To effectively develop rural tourism and exploit the strengths of rural areas in Quang Nam, Dan Viet reporter had an interview with Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam province.

The rural area of ​​Quang Nam is considered a "precious gem", not only containing many cultural and historical values, but also a beautiful landscape, the pride of many domestic and international tourists, an indispensable stop for tourists when coming to Quang Nam. Could you share the achievements of tourism development in Quang Nam in recent times, especially rural and agricultural tourism?

Many places in the mountainous areas of Quang Nam have formed many community tourism spots and villages to attract visitors and increase income. Photo: ALN

- In recent times, Quang Nam province has made efforts to restore the tourism industry's growth momentum and has achieved remarkable results.

The total number of visitors and tourist accommodation in 2023 will reach more than 7.5 million, an increase of 1.6 times over the same period in 2022, exceeding the target set for 2023. This number is approximately equal to the number of tourists to Quang Nam in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic was 7.8 million; of which international visitors reached more than 3.8 million, an increase of 5.6 times over the same period in 2022, domestic visitors reached nearly 3.7 million. Tourism revenue in 2023 will reach VND 7,950 billion, an increase of 2 times over the same period in 2022. Social income from tourism will reach VND 18,683 billion.

Following the recovery in 2023, from the beginning of 2024 until now, the number of international visitors to Quang Nam has increased sharply compared to the same period last year. In the first 9 months of 2024, the total number of visitors and tourist accommodation is estimated at 6,475,000, an increase of 6% over the same period in 2023; of which international visitors are estimated at 4,245,000, an increase of 8% over the same period in 2023; domestic visitors are estimated at 2,230,000, an increase of 3% over the same period in 20223.

Rural and agricultural tourism in Quang Nam began to take shape in 2009 and 2010 and has developed strongly since 2013; tourist destinations are distributed in most localities in the province. Currently, there are 126 rural agricultural tourism resource locations that have been counted, many of which operate very effectively such as Thanh Ha pottery village, Tra Que vegetable village, Bay Mau coconut forest Cam Thanh, Kim Bong carpentry village, Cu Lao Cham, Tan Thanh fishing village, Hoi An city; Tam Thanh community art village, Tam Ky city; Triem Tay community tourism village, Cam Phu - Go Noi community tourism village, Tra Nhieu community tourism village, Farmstay old brick kiln, etc.

International tourists coming to Hoi An, Quang Nam province are interested in many rural and farmer tourism models to experience with farmers in the vast fields. Photo: Contributor

It is estimated that over 30% of tourists coming to Quang Nam experience agricultural and rural tourism products. The most prominent is the Bay Mau - Cam Thanh coconut forest tourist destination in Hoi An city, attracting nearly 1 million visitors in 2023, with revenue from ticket sales of over 27 billion VND.

In addition, many rural tourism destinations in Quang Nam province have received ASEAN community tourism awards such as Triem Tay community tourism village, Dien Ban town in 2017; Co Tu community tourism village, Nam Giang district in 2019; An Bang coastal fishing village community, Hoi An city received the award for accommodation with rooms for tourists to rent (homestay); villages recognized as OCOP products such as Tan Thanh fishing village, Hoi An city and Tam Thanh community art village, Tam Ky city.

Many rural areas in Quang Nam are exploiting and taking advantage of the natural beauty bestowed by nature to develop rural tourism. Photo: Nguyen Sinh

As you shared, Quang Nam is developing strongly in tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic, and is regaining momentum. To develop tourism in rural areas, what orientations is Quang Nam's culture and tourism sector taking to promote and help rural areas develop tourism?

- Quang Nam province has issued and implemented many relevant documents to promote rural tourism development in the province, implemented a program to coordinate the construction of cultural life, develop rural tourism, preserve and promote cultural values ​​in the national target program on new rural construction for the period 2021 - 2025 and the plan on rural tourism development in new rural construction in Quang Nam province by 2025.

In particular, Quang Nam province stipulates the level of support for the development of rural tourism spots and rural tourism products with regional characteristics, the support level is not more than 2 million VND/project/model/tourist spot; the support level for the construction and implementation of a pilot model for developing rural tourism in the direction of green, responsible and sustainable tourism according to the list of projects approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is not more than 5 million VND/project/model.

Along with the development of rural and agricultural tourism, Quang Nam province also preserves ancient features and agricultural products to attract domestic and international visitors to experience tourism. Photo: TH

In the coming time, Quang Nam province will continue to specifically implement related support policies to promote rural tourism development, integrate investment, complete infrastructure for tourism development, and train human resources for agricultural production combined with tourism.

Support effective investment in rural tourism development models associated with building new rural areas with unique tourism resources and the ability to spread tourists to other tourist destinations. Strengthen direction, management and guidance to avoid duplication and monotony of products, over-exploitation of available natural resources, affecting the environment. Take advantage of the support of international organizations to contribute to promoting rural tourism development.

Carry out well the information, communication and promotion work about these types of tourism. Pay attention to communication and information about the benefits, economic, social and environmental efficiency of agricultural tourism and rural tourism.

Promote close links between parties in developing community tourism products, travel businesses, localities, state management agencies, etc. Strengthen coordination and combination between levels and sectors in directing, supporting, and guiding the development of rural tourism products associated with increasing the value of agricultural products, villages, and craft villages in rural areas.

A community tourism village in Quang Nam is eye-catchingly invested, tourists love to come to experience it. Photo: Contributor

Besides the achievements of rural tourism in Quang Nam in recent times, is it difficult to build and achieve a "10 point" for rural tourism in Quang Nam, in your opinion?

- Developing rural tourism in Quang Nam still faces many difficulties, specifically, previous rural planning in localities has not oriented tourism development, especially community tourism, or has been implemented but the quality of planning in tourism development is not good; lack of regional and industry linkage for tourism development.

Land planning at tourist destinations in general and rural tourism in particular still has many shortcomings. Some community tourism tours, agricultural and rural tourism have now made their mark but have not been fully exploited in terms of content and form, only stopping at the form of sightseeing, without many typical tourism products and services.

Rural tourism development infrastructure is still limited, traffic is not yet synchronously connected, there is a lack of parking lots and toilets; tourism services are small in scale and do not ensure sufficient conditions to serve the needs of tourists.

Song Dam Eco-tourism Area in Tam Ky, Quang Nam Province is a place that still preserves traditional rural features. Many wild animals, shrimps, and fish here are strictly protected to develop tourism. Photo: Nguyen Dien Ngoc

Investment sources for infrastructure and supporting facilities at many community tourism sites are mostly integrated from other financial sources, so they have not met the requirements of tourism development; community tourism development activities have only stopped at supporting a number of specific tourist sites, there is no mechanism to promote overall development into systematic community tourism models to put into operation community tourism routes, rural tourism associated with the experience of the new rural areas; policies on agricultural land serving tourism development are still difficult and entangled...

Rural tourism workers are limited in capacity and professional expertise, so management, operation, and promotion work at agricultural and rural tourism destinations are still confusing.

Lack of cooperation in tourism development between agencies, units and enterprises; linkage between tourism, agriculture and rural areas to form product value chains is still limited and has not brought high efficiency.

The work of preserving and restoring traditional cultural values ​​has not received proper investment, so the exploitation of resources is not commensurate with potential.

Tourists visit Bay Mau coconut forest in Hoi An

Along with the development of rural tourism, especially Quang Nam, there are currently many products produced by farmers and rural areas that have famous brands. So how does the Quang Nam tourism industry promote these products to tourists, especially international tourists?

- Quang Nam province always attaches importance to tourism promotion, especially promoting to international tourists products produced by farmers and rural areas and having brands.

Every year, in addition to participating in domestic and international trade and tourism fairs, welcoming international famtrip and presstrip delegations to experience rural tourism products, Quang Nam province also promotes tourism products in general and rural tourism products in particular on domestic and international media channels, social networks, and newspapers.

Tourists enjoy the typical products of Quang Nam countryside. Photo: TH

In addition, Quang Nam province also promotes the application of digital transformation in the tourism sector through building, maintaining and effectively promoting the Quang Nam province smart tourism software system; building an annual tourism stimulus program to attract tourists.

On March 24, 2023, Quang Nam province issued a plan to attract and welcome international tourists to Quang Nam province in the new period, setting out specific tasks and solutions to attract and welcome international tourists to restore and develop sustainable tourism in Quang Nam.

On that basis, agencies, localities, businesses, organizations and individuals proactively develop investment plans, reconnect markets and partners in traditional and potential international tourist markets.

The Sua Flower Festival in Tam Ky is held annually, attracting a large number of visitors to admire the beauty of the countryside. Photo: TH

Promoting the application of information technology in accessing the international tourist market, Quang Nam encourages businesses, cooperatives, cooperative groups, etc. to carry out online marketing campaigns on social networking platforms, develop websites in multiple languages ​​to introduce rural tourism destinations, local specialties, and OCOP products to domestic and international tourists.

With international visitors accounting for over 65% of total visitors and tourist accommodation, Quang Nam province has many advantages in promoting rural products to international visitors.

And recently, on September 27, 2024, the Hoi An OCOP center opened at 72 Nguyen Thai Hoc with many typical products of each locality and region in the whole Quang Nam province. The formation of centers like this will help Quang Nam promote its strengths, reduce distribution costs, increase competitiveness and gradually connect rural products to tourists, focusing on international visitors.

Thank you!

Source: https://danviet.vn/tinh-quang-nam-khai-thac-tiem-nang-cua-vien-ngoc-quy-ve-du-lich-nong-thon-nhu-the-nao-20241004082309352.htm