Cua Lo aims to welcome and serve 3.4 million tourists in 2023.

The conference was attended by representatives from the Department of Tourism and the Journalists Association of Nghe An province; representatives from provincial departments, agencies, and units; leaders of Cua Lo town; and the award-winning authors.

Conference scene. Photo: Duc Anh

Impressive results

After two years of severe impact from the Covid-19 pandemic, Cua Lo tourism restarted in 2022 amidst numerous difficulties and challenges. Thanks to the attention and guidance of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, and various levels and sectors in state management, investment attraction, and event organization to attract tourists, Cua Lo tourism recovered quickly and achieved many impressive results.

In line with the policy of restoring tourism activities in the "new normal" state, at the beginning of 2022,Cua Lo townStrengthening tourism promotion and advertising efforts is crucial. Simultaneously, urban beautification, environmental sanitation, ensuring security and order, and COVID-19 prevention and control measures should be prioritized.

Comrade Pham Thi Hong Toan - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Cua Lo Town Party Committee, delivered a speech at the conference. Photo: Duc Anh.

The opening ceremony of the Cua Lo Tourism Festival 2022 and the art program with the theme "Cua Lo: Love of the Sea and Aspiration to Shine," featured a fireworks display as a highlight.fireworkThe 15-minute event marked the beginning of a flourishing year for tourism in Cua Lo.

Following the opening ceremony of the festival, the town organized a series of cultural and sports activities and other festival events such as: Human Chess Tournament; Street Music Festival; Art program about the folk songs and dances of the region; Fishing Festival; Memorial Ceremony, candle-lighting to honor heroes and martyrs; Lantern Festival and hot air balloon festival; the first Sea Chrysanthemum Cup Open Cycling Race… attracting a large number of tourists and local people.

Leaders of Cua Lo town present awards to the authors and groups of authors who won first prize in the Cua Lo Tourism Promotion Journalism Award. Photo: Duc Anh.

Leaders of Cua Lo town present the second prize to the authors and groups of authors who won the Cua Lo Tourism Promotion Journalism Award. Photo: Duc Anh.

Tourism business activities in Cua Lo have seen significant improvements and achieved important results. The total number of visitors is estimated at 3,052,000 (an increase of 197% compared to the annual plan); of which the number of overnight visitors is estimated at 1,036,000 (reaching 201% of the annual plan). Revenue from tourism and service activities is estimated at 3,218 billion VND (reaching 211% of the annual plan).

In 2022, Cua Lo put into operation 3 accommodation facilities with nearly 400 rooms, bringing the total number of accommodation establishments in the town to 299, capable of serving 30,000 overnight guests per day; two more accommodation establishments were ranked 3-star, raising the total number of 2-5 star accommodation establishments in the town to 25, meeting the requirements for hosting national and international events.

Get ready for another year of explosive growth.

In 2023, Cua Lo town identified the need to continue leveraging its advantages, creating new tourism products, and developing high-quality services, as well as organizing national-level cultural and sports events to attract tourists. The goal is to achieve 3,400,000 visitors (an 11% increase compared to 2022); tourism service revenue of 3,550 billion VND (an 11% increase compared to 2022); and to have 4-5 more accommodation establishments assessed and recognized as meeting 2-5 star standards.

Representatives of the Organizing Committee present awards to the authors and groups of authors who won third prize in the Cua Lo Tourism Promotion Journalism Award. Photo: Duc Anh.

Representatives of the Organizing Committee present awards to the authors and groups of authors who won the Encouragement Prize in the Cua Lo Tourism Promotion Journalism Award. Photo: Duc Anh.

At the conference, delegates discussed the direction and tasks for 2023, focusing on urban beautification after the removal of the row of kiosks east of Binh Minh Street; environmental sanitation, ensuring security and safety for tourists; and solutions for planning business and service activities west of Binh Minh Street…

In his remarks at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Director of the Department of Tourism and Deputy Head of the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee, acknowledged the achievements of Cua Lo town. He also urged the town to further improve environmental sanitation, ensure security and safety for tourists; accelerate the upgrading of Binh Minh road; and continue coordinating with all levels and sectors to prepare for a year of "explosive" tourism growth…

Leaders of the Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association and the Cua Lo Town People's Committee jointly organized the launch of the 2023 Cua Lo Tourism Promotion Journalism Competition. Photo: Duc Anh

At the conference, Ms. Pham Thi Hong Toan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Cua Lo Town Party Committee, expressed her gratitude to the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, departments, agencies, and the press. She also directed all levels and sectors of the town to focus on planning, investing in infrastructure for tourism development, and selecting activities to "activate" the new tourism season. She emphasized the importance of promoting the image of Cua Lo tourism, developing quality tourism products, and preparing human resources to attract tourists.

On this occasion, the Organizing Committee presented awards for the Cua Lo Tourism Journalism Prize. The prize received 156 entries over three years, with more than 100 entries in 2022. After two rounds of preliminary and final judging, the Organizing Committee selected 41 outstanding works to award prizes, including 3 First Prizes, 8 Second Prizes, 13 Third Prizes, and 17 Consolation Prizes. The Nghe An Provincial Journalists Association and the Cua Lo Town People's Committee jointly organized the launch of the 2023 Cua Lo Tourism Journalism Award.

Leaders of Cua Lo town present the first prize to the author of the songwriting competition about Cua Lo. Photo: Duc Anh.

Also on this occasion, the People's Committee of Cua Lo town held a ceremony to summarize and award prizes to 14 winning entries in the songwriting competition about Cua Lo (including 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 3 third prizes and 8 consolation prizes).

At the conference, 5 collectives and 5 individuals received Certificates of Commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for their outstanding achievements in the development of tourism in Cua Lo. On this occasion, 18 collectives and 17 individuals were awarded Certificates of Merit by the People's Committee of Cua Lo town.