Cua Lo strives to welcome more than 3 million visitors in the 2021 tourist season

Attending on the provincial side were comrades: Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism; Nguyen Duc Hien - Chairman of Nghe An Tourism Association; representatives of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Department of Industry and Trade.

On the side of Cua Lo Town, there were comrades: Nguyen Thi Kim Chi - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Secretary of the Town Party Committee; Le Thanh Long - Permanent Deputy Secretary, Chairman of the Town People's Council; Doan Tien Dung - Chairman of the Town People's Committee, Vice Chairmen of the Town People's Committee, representatives of relevant departments, branches and organizations.

Overcoming difficulties to maintain "brand" during Covid-19 pandemic

2020 is the yearCua LoNghe An in particular and the whole country in general have been seriously affected by the Covid-19 epidemic. In particular, the tourism industry has been severely affected, many tourism businesses have been operating at a standstill or closed, and the number of workers in the industry who have lost their jobs has increased.

However, thanks to the attention and direction of the Provincial People's Committee, Nghe An Department of Tourism, and timely direction of the City Party Committee and People's Council, the People's Committee of Cua Lo town has done well in two key tasks: preventing the epidemic and gradually recovering and developing the tourism industry.

Cua Lo Beach - an attractive destination for tourists. Photo courtesy of Sach Nguyen

The report at the conference noted that in 2020, the total number of visitors to Cua Lo reached 1 million 811 thousand, equal to 56.9% compared to 2019, reaching 52% of the yearly plan. Of which, the number of overnight visitors reached 878 thousand, reaching 52% compared to 2019, reaching 48% of the yearly plan. International visitors reached 1 million 220 thousand.

Revenue from service and tourism activities reached 1,759 billion VND, reaching 51% compared to 2019, reaching 42% of the annual plan. Tax and tourism service fee collection reached nearly 13 billion VND.

In 2020, Cua Lo will build and expand 3 new accommodation facilities with 200 rooms, bringing the total number of accommodation facilities in the town to 300, capable of serving 30,000 guests per day and night.

Ngu Island Pagoda; Tourists take photos at Lan Chau Island; A corner of Cua Lo beach. Photo courtesy: Cong Kien - Duc Anh - Nguyen Book

Urban beautification work in 2020 has many innovations. The town has mobilized hotels, restaurants, and socialized units in visual decoration and urban beautification. The system and decorative electricity have been invested in and installed in a modern way, contributing to improving the quality, impression as well as strongly promoting the image of Cua Lo tourism.

Propaganda and promotion work is focused on. Political security and social order are ensured. Tourism security protection plans are developed in detail, with clear assignment of responsibilities to forces. Traffic safety work is given attention.

Faced with the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Town Party Committee and the Town People's Committee have strictly implemented the instructions and guidance of all levels. Deploying and guiding the implementation of measuresCOVID-19 prevention, ensuring safety in tourist and service establishments in the town.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Thanh Hien

At the conference, many opinions were expressed, pointing out the difficulties and limitations of Cua Lo tourism in 2020 and concerns about how to sustainably develop Cua Lo tourism in 2021.

Building impressive and attractive destinations

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism acknowledged the results of Cua Lo tourism achieved in 2020. To complete the 2021 target, Cua Lo needs to complete the infrastructure due to the impact of storms and rains to serve winter tourism (focusing on spiritual and cultural tourism, agricultural tourism...). Cua Lo needs to constantly change, constantly strive to become a civilized, safe and friendly coastal tourism town.

Comrade Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism acknowledged the achievements of Cua Lo tourism in 2020. Photo: Thanh Hien

In 2021, Cua Lo will focus on striving to achieve a number of tourism targets such as: Welcoming 3 million 150 thousand visitors, an increase of 42.5% compared to 2020. Of which 1 million 610 thousand overnight guests, an increase of 46% compared to 2020. Tourism service revenue reached 3,360 billion VND, an increase of 47.7% compared to 2020. Building 03 new facilities with 300 rooms, bringing the total number of accommodation facilities to 303, capable of serving 30,500 overnight guests/day and night. Creating jobs for 200 - 250 workers. Building, appraising and recognizing 03-05 standard restaurants serving tourists.

At the conference, Comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Chi - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of Cua Lo Town Party Committee also pointed out solutions to achieve the goals of 2021: 2021 is the first year that Cua Lo Town implements important goals of the 2020 - 2025 term in economic - cultural - social development, including tourism.

With the available advantages and potentials of a tourist city with 26 years of construction and development, in the coming time, Cua Lo tourism will continue to well implement the directions of the Central Government, Departments, branches, and sectors of the Province and Town on combining economic production development with epidemic prevention; ensuring safety at travel businesses, destinations, tourist accommodation establishments and tourism service businesses.

Develop and issue a plan to promote and advertise Cua Lo tourism after Covid-19. Promote Cua Lo tourism as a safe destination for tourists.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Chi - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Secretary of the Town Party Committee emphasized that 2021 is an extremely important year for Cua Lo tourism in making a breakthrough to complete the targets of the Town Congress for the 2020 - 2025 term. Photo: Thanh Hien

Focus on building and implementing tourism development projects according to the Resolution of the 6th Town Party Congress such as: Project to build civilized, friendly and hospitable Cua Lo people; Project to upgrade infrastructure and service quality of the hotel and restaurant system.

Promote propaganda work so that each citizen can truly be a tour guide; build a beautiful image of Cua Lo tourism in the hearts of tourists so that each tourist will become an effective propagandist for the Cua Lo tourism brand.

Town leaders awarded Certificates of Merit to collectives with outstanding achievements in the 2020 tourist season. Photo: Thanh Hien

Leaders of Cua Lo town awarded Certificates of Merit to individuals with outstanding achievements in the 2020 tourist season. Photo: Thanh Hien

Build thedestinationat Cua Lo is impressive, attractive, connecting tourist tours with Uncle Ho's hometown, the West, tea island... to promote, advertise, attract tourists... From there, diversify business types and tourism products, limit seasonality and mainly accommodation business as at present.

On this occasion, Cua Lo town also awarded 13 collectives and 9 individuals with outstanding achievements in tourism work in 2020./.