Nghe An tourism and the transition after 'post-Covid-19 stimulus'

Efforts to find solutions to stimulate demand

The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, with tourism being one of the most severely affected sectors. For Nghe An, although there have been no cases of infection, the epidemic has had a strong impact on many socio-economic sectors, especially tourism.

Nghe An signed a tourism cooperation agreement with the Hanoi UNESCO Club. Photo: Duc Anh

The number of visitors and tourism revenue in the first 4 months of 2020 decreased by more than 60% compared to the same period in 2019, many travel agencies, hotels and restaurants had to stop operating. Up to now, all aspects of life have basically returned to normal but the tourism industry is still facing many difficulties, the number of visitors to Nghe An is still low compared to the time before the outbreak.

Faced with the difficult situation, the People's Committee of Nghe An province promptly implemented the 2020 Tourism Stimulus Program with the theme "Nghe An - Safe and Different Destination". The program aims to mobilize and encourage businesses to actively participate in responding to the Program."Vietnamese people travel to Vietnam"launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Nghe An Tourism Delegation conducts survey in Central Highlands provinces. Photo: Hoang Duc Chung

Thereby, strengthening the connection of organizations and individuals providing tourism services to offer product and service packages that ensure quality, reasonable prices and attractive incentives to stimulate domestic tourism, rapidly increasing the number of tourists to Nghe An. At the same time, promoting communication and promoting the opening of tourist attractions in the province and ensuring safety and stimulus policies to attract tourists.

One of the highlights of the Program is the Workshop "Discussing solutions to promote domestic tourism and restore international tourism after Covid-19 in Nghe An province in 2020" jointly organized by the General Department of Tourism, the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Group, the Private Economic Development Research Board (under the Prime Minister's Administrative Procedure Reform Advisory Council), the National Tourism Advisory Council and the People's Committee of Nghe An province at the end of May.

Leaders of Nghe An Department of Tourism welcomed a group of tourists to Cua Lo town for a vacation. Photo: Cong Kien

Here, delegates focused on discussing basic issues: Identifying domestic tourism models/forms that need to be prioritized to promote after the Covid-19 pandemic; essential policies to restore and stimulate domestic tourism; promoting coordination to solve the problem of stimulating tourism...

Destinations in western Nghe An are beginning to attract a large number of local tourists. Photo: Cong Kien

In particular, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh - General Director of the General Department of Tourism reminded Nghe An to strengthen promotion and advertising activities for key tourism markets in conjunction with the tourism stimulus program, and research and expand new markets. Directed businesses to have policies, promotional service packages, and discounts to stimulate tourism in 2020 along with improving service quality.

And the initial movements

A few days after the conference ended, Nghe An Tourism Department organized to welcome a domestic group of more than 500 people to visit and relax for 3 days and 2 nights in Cua Lo town. During the 3 days and 2 nights, the group rested, swam in the sea, visited the seafood market and enjoyed specialties.

In particular, organizing a Team Building Program at the beach with attractive physical games creates a sense of comfort, leaving a good impression. This can be seen as a positive signal showing the recovery of Nghe An tourism industry after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kim Lien National Special Relic Site (Nam Dan) welcomes thousands of visitors every day. Photo courtesy: Sach Nguyen

And also right after the Workshop, the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee led by Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism, Deputy Head of the Committee organized a survey, exchanged experiences, and strengthened cooperation in tourism development between Nghe An and the Central Highlands provinces. The parties agreed to continue to coordinate in organizing Famtrip and Presstrip delegations to survey tourism products.

At the same time, link and exchange website banners and tourism promotion publications at airports, organize the Nghe An Tourism Food Festival with the provinces of the North Central and Central Highlands in 2020. According to the plan of the airlines, in May and June, flights will be continuously opened and there will be preferential policies for people and tourists between the parties.

At the same time, in Khanh Hoa, the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee also worked with Mr. Nguyen Duc Chi - Chairman of Crystal Bay Joint Stock Company. The delegation shared about natural resources, biodiversity, architectural space planning, transportation, location, and culture of Nghe An people.

Cua Lo beach town is attracting many tourists for vacation. Photo: Sach Nguyen

From there, expressed the desire to be interested by large, reputable tourism investors to invest in different tourism products in Nghe An to attract European tourists to Nghe An, especially Russian tourists. And consider opening a flight route from Russia to Vinh and bringing Russian tourists from Nha Trang to Nghe An.

Nghe An Tourism Industry commits to actively support and provide information on destinations, planning... to attract and call for investment in the tourism sector to Nghe An.The Chairman of Crystal Bay Joint Stock Company shared some information about Russian tourists who are aiming to come to Nghe An to survey, consider, and research investment in the field of smart urban tourism experiences in 2020.

Recently, the Department of Tourism has signed a cooperation agreement to promote and market tourism with airlines such as Vietjet Air (2020-2025 period). Cooperating with Vietnam Airlines to launch new routes Vinh - Da Lat, Vinh - Buon Ma Thuot, Vinh - Nha Trang, Vinh - Can Tho, Vinh - Phu Quoc to attract domestic tourists to Nghe An.

Beach tourism in Nghe An has become bustling again after the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Cong Kien

According to the Department of Tourism's report, it is estimated that in June 2020, the total number of tourists to Nghe An will reach 620,000, an increase of 258% compared to May. Of which, the number of overnight guests will reach 420,000, an increase of 420% compared to May; revenue from tourists will reach 850 billion VND, an increase of 399% compared to May.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism, Deputy Head of the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee said: "In the coming time, we will focus on directing the implementation of state support policies for businesses and tourism establishments. Promptly implement stimulus solutions to restore accommodation and service businesses for tourists. At the same time, there will be attractive tourism stimulus programs with reasonable prices, mainly to increase the value of destinations and tourism products in Nghe An...".