Travel businesses propose to separate the procedures for group and individual guests at the border gate.

Comrades: Le Minh Thong - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism co-chaired the conference. Attending were representatives of departments, branches, sectors; tourism businesses in the province. Photo: Phuoc Anh

The growth of international tourists is a matter of concern for the development of Nghe An tourism. In 2017, the number of international visitors reached 109,000, an increase of 42% compared to the same period in 2016. This is a good sign, but at the same time, it also poses many challenges and problems that need to be resolved.

Representatives of travel agencies raised questions about the entry and exit of international tourists. Mr. Nguyen Huu Bac - PhucGroup Tourism Investment Company said: In the process of guiding tourists through Nam Can International Border Gate (Ky Son), it is clear that the procedures are not yet quick and convenient for tourists. In addition, at the border gate, there is no separate passport stamping route between individual tourists and group tourists, which causes some time loss in travel. Should we implement a separate route to create conditions for tour groups?

Mr. Nguyen Huu Bac - PhucGroup Tourism Investment Company raised concerns about the time for immigration procedures at Nam Can International Border Gate. Photo: Phuoc Anh

Agreeing with this opinion, many travel agencies also raised issues arising in the practice of bringing international tourists into border areas. Currently, the management of people and vehicles in the land border area is being implemented according to Decree 34/2014/ND-CP.

“Many other provinces such as Ha Giang, Lao Cai… also have border areas, managed under Decree 34, but international visitors still come in large numbers, tourism is very bustling, and the revenue is very large; meanwhile, in Nghe An, it is very difficult for foreign visitors to enter the border area.

If we continue to rely on the Decree and tighten restrictions on foreign visitors as we have been doing for a long time, it will be very difficult to develop tourism! The province should build a tourism development program associated with border security protection to harmonize both factors" - a representative of Pu Mat National Park suggested.

Regarding passport procedures, some businesses have raised concerns about the procedures when they do not allow companies to do them for them, tourists in the districts have to go to Vinh City to do the procedures, which is very complicated. This business requested the Provincial Police to study solutions to speed up and simplify the procedures, creating favorable conditions for tourists.

A group of foreign tourists experience making banh chung with the people of Hoa Tien village, Quy Chau. Photo courtesy

In response to the opinions of businesses, representatives of the Provincial Border Guard Command and the Provincial Police directly responded. Colonel Nguyen Tien Dan - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police said that for two consecutive years 2016 and 2017, Nghe An Provincial Police was ranked first by the Ministry of Public Security in administrative reform work among the entire Public Security force.

To facilitate the people, the industry has deployed an electronic declaration form. Those who need a passport only need to access the website and fill out the necessary documents; if they do not have time to come and get it, right at the Immigration Office, there are postal staff to support express delivery to your home!

In addition, regarding the time to issue travel documents, Colonel Nguyen Tien Dan said that the Provincial Police have also reduced the time from 5 days to 1 working day.

Colonel Nguyen Cong Luc answers questions raised by tourism businesses. Photo: Phuoc Anh

Regarding the issue of foreign visitors entering the border area, Colonel Nguyen Cong Luc - Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff of Nghe An Border Guard provided information: in 2017, there were 7 tour groups taking visitors through the border gate, with 2,220 passengers entering the country and 2,235 passengers exiting the country.

“Based on administrative reform, the average time for each passenger to complete border procedures is about 1 - 1.5 minutes. We think that over the past year, the border gate has been very favorable for passengers,” said Colonel Nguyen Cong Luc, suggesting that, to speed things up even more, travel agencies should send a list of passengers to the border gate’s email address before arriving so that border gate officials can enter the data. In addition, proactively grasp the regulations on valid documents to avoid wasting time.

Regarding the flow of tourists in groups and individuals when passing through the border gate, Colonel Luc said that right after this meeting, he will direct Nam Can International Border Gate to study and find a solution. "I would like to ask for the phone number of the travel agency that just raised the question. As soon as I have information, I will notify you immediately" - Colonel Luc said frankly.

At the conference, many issues regarding tax policies, traffic signs for tourist vehicles, etc. were also raised by delegates.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong concluded the dialogue conference. Photo: Phuoc Anh

Concluding the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Minh Thong highly appreciated the coordination and active participation of departments, branches, districts, cities, towns and tourism businesses in the province.

He suggested that the Department of Tourism continue to effectively implement the Action Program to implement Resolution No. 08 of the Politburo on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector; proactively advise and propose solutions to promote tourism growth to ensure compliance with reality.

Regarding the Tax sector, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Tax Department to properly implement the Tax Law, but must create the best conditions for businesses to operate production and business.

For the Provincial Police and the Provincial Border Guard Command, continue to carry out administrative reforms, simplify procedures, and research the most optimal solutions to facilitate international and domestic tourists when passing through international border gates and accessing border and island tourist areas and destinations, while also ensuring national defense and security.

Signing of the cooperation program between the Department of Tourism and the Provincial Border Guard. Photo: Phuoc Anh

Also this afternoon, the Department of Tourism held a signing ceremony for a program to coordinate tourism development work associated with ensuring border and island security with the Provincial Border Guard.