Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee: Good planning for tourism to develop, truly becoming a spearhead economic sector

On the afternoon of June 6, comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee had a working session with the Department of Tourism to evaluate the results of the implementation of tasks in the past time and the direction and tasks in the coming time.

Overview of the working session between Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung and the Department of Tourism. Photo: Pham Bang

Striving to welcome more than 7 million visitors in 2022

Reporting to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the working delegation, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism said that the Covid-19 epidemic broke out in early 2020 and lasted for more than 2 years, severely affecting the tourism industry. The technical facilities and equipment of the industry have seriously degraded, businesses lack resources for reinvestment, and there is a shortage of human resources.

In 2020 and 2021, the number of tourists decreased sharply. In 2021, the number of tourists reached only 1.888 million, of which 1.288 million were overnight visitors; international visitors reached 4,323; total revenue from tourists reached 2,096 billion VND, of which tourism revenue reached 1,115 billion VND. Meanwhile, in 2019, there were 6.5 million visitors, with revenue reaching 4,581 billion VND.

Comrade Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism reported on the results of the sector's tasks in the past time. Photo: Pham Bang

After the Covid-19 epidemic was basically controlled, the Government had a policy to fully reopen tourism from March 15, 2022. Along with the rapid recovery of tourism nationwide, Nghe An tourism industry has shown many strong signs of recovery.

It is estimated that in the first 6 months of 2022, the whole province will welcome and serve more than 4 million visitors, equal to 237% compared to the same period in 2021, of which the number of overnight visitors is estimated at 2,630,000, equal to 222% compared to the same period in 2021, and the number of international visitors is estimated at 8,300. Total revenue from tourists is estimated at 7,050 billion VND, of which tourism revenue is estimated at 3,269 billion VND, equal to 321% compared to the same period in 2021.

On the other hand, the system of technical infrastructure serving tourism has been gradually invested in a synchronous and modern manner. Technical infrastructure serving tourism continues to develop strongly. The space for tourism development is expanded on 3 main pillars: Sea resort tourism, cultural - historical tourism and eco-tourism associated with community cultural exploration.

Leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Committee, departments, branches and sectors attended the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

Tourism promotion and propaganda activities associated with the application of information technology have been actively implemented. Tourism development linkage activities with provinces and cities in the region and the whole country, especially key areas with large sources of visitors such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and the Northern and Southern provinces have been effectively implemented.

However, Nghe An tourism still has some limitations such as: The quality of visitor growth is not stable. Tourism products have not created a breakthrough, not strong attraction. The progress of tourism investment projects is still slow. The quality of services in accommodation facilities shows signs of decline. The shortage of human resources is becoming more and more serious.

Despite many difficulties, the tourism industry still sets a target of welcoming and serving more than 7 million tourists and more than 4 million guests in 2022, an increase of more than 300% compared to 2021; total tourism revenue reaches more than 11,000 billion VND, of which tourism service revenue reaches 5,957 billion VND, an increase of more than 500% compared to 2021.

At the meeting, leaders of departments and branches contributed many ideas to the tourism industry such as promoting Nghe An tourism on social networks; focusing on building typical products at tourist destinations; strengthening human resource training for the tourism industry...

Comrade Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee spoke at the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

Sharing the difficulties of the tourism industry, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Bui Dinh Long suggested that the industry advise the Provincial People's Committee to exploit the potential and strengths, have more new tourism products, and strive to welcome 5-6 million visitors to Nghe An every year. On the other hand, it is necessary to do a good job of state management to satisfy the needs of tourists; coordinate well with sectors and localities to "help" the tourism industry.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Thi Kim Chi acknowledged the strong recovery of the tourism industry and said that it is necessary to change the mindset and tourism methods of each community and each person to exploit the potential of each region, and not rely too much on the budget. The Department of Tourism also needs to continue to promote stability, solidarity, and promote the role of the leader so that the industry can prosper in the coming time.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Chi - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Agencies spoke at the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

Must change awareness and thinking about tourism development

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that this was the third time the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee worked with the tourism sector within 6 years since its re-establishment, which demonstrated the attention of the provincial leaders to the tourism sector in particular and to the development of the tourism sector in general.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee highly appreciated the efforts of the industry over the past time, especially in the two years of 2020 - 2021 when the Covid-19 pandemic had a severe impact on tourism activities. Thereby, contributing positively to the socio-economic development results of the province. At the same time, he acknowledged the concerns, enthusiasm, and responsibility of the industry in general and the Director of the Department of Tourism personally for the development of tourism in the province.

Analyzing in depth the shortcomings and limitations raised by the industry, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that the underlying nature is that the province does not really have an ecosystem of attractive tourism products; the quality of the industry's human resources is not professional.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee concluded the working session. Photo: Pham Bang

Affirming that the provincial leaders are very interested in the leadership and direction of tourism development, demonstrated by Resolution No. 05, Action Program No. 55 of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee; Resolutions of the Provincial People's Council, Decisions of the Provincial People's Committee, in the coming time, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Trung said that the industry needs to adjust and change its awareness and thinking about tourism development, "this is an extremely important factor".

It must be determined that the development of tourism as a comprehensive economic sector with high inter-sectoral and inter-regional characteristics requires all sectors and localities to take drastic action so that tourism can truly become a spearhead economic sector in the true sense, achieving the set goals. The effectiveness of the tourism industry is not only in the economy but also in culture and society. By 2030, the tourism industry's contribution to the province's GRDP will be 9-10% according to Action Program No. 55 of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee.

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee

For the tourism industry to develop, the prerequisite must come from the issue of us doing a good job of planning, which must be integrated into the Provincial Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. The planning must identify spaces for organizing tourism development, and very clear tourist routes. From there, it will be the basis for implementing development goals and attracting investment for the tourism industry.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also requested the industry to mobilize resources for investment in tourism infrastructure and facilities for the tourism industry. Because currently, the province's tourism infrastructure and facilities for the tourism industry are still lacking and weak. Try to attract investors, build truly professional facilities, thereby changing the perception of the province's tourism image.

Leaders of the Department of Tourism attended the meeting. Photo: Pham Bang

Regarding the structure of tourism products, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that the chain of tourism products on three main pillars, namely beach resort tourism, cultural - historical tourism and eco-tourism associated with community cultural exploration, is still not connected and requires a core tourism product and connectivity of the province's tourism product chain. For example, visitors to Uncle Ho's hometown must buy a typical product that cannot be found anywhere else.

Regarding the structure of tourists, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that, in addition to domestic tourists, we must boldly set a goal of attracting a higher number of international tourists and open up many international tourist markets so that they know about Nghe An tourism.

The head of the provincial People's Committee said that in the work of promoting tourism, it is impossible to ignore the forms of promoting tourism on multimedia platforms, social networks, digitalization... But the important thing is to build attractive stories, affirming the unique value of Nghe An tourism. On the other hand, promoting and promoting must have product linkages, linkages between localities in the province, between provinces in the region.

Leaders of departments, branches and sectors attended the working session. Photo: Pham Bang

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also said that to develop tourism, there must be human resources in state management and business activities. These human resources must meet two factors: capacity, quality, professionalism, sense of responsibility, and love for the job.

In addition, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state management in the sector. First of all, it is necessary to innovate management methods, increase the application of IT, carry out digital transformation, and gradually digitize state management contents. In the context of limited resources, it is necessary to select priority areas to focus on implementing effective management./.