'Rescuing' Nghe An tourism from Covid-19
(Baonghean.vn) - In the first two months of 2020, Covid-19 has "pushed" Nghe An tourism into a crisis of declining visitor numbers and revenue... To help Nghe An tourism escape the crisis and recover growth, many units and businesses have given advice and suggestions.
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| Nghe An Department of Tourism inspects Covid-19 prevention and control work at relic sites. |
Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of Nghe An Department of Tourism
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From February 1 to 8, in Nghe An, there were nearly 100 groups with nearly 7,000 guests canceling their stay at accommodation establishments in the area. It is expected that in February, the number of tourists staying will only reach about 128,000, with accommodation revenue estimated at 36.8 billion VND, down 60% compared to the same period in 2019. The number of visitors to tourist areas and spots decreased by 60%; revenue from tourism activities decreased by 70% compared to the plan.
To prevent and combat the acute respiratory infection caused by nCoV, Nghe An Department of Tourism and tourism units have been actively implementing the direction of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee on environmental sanitation, spraying disinfectants; disseminating information about the epidemic to tourists and staff; stabilizing organization and business; training human resources, improving service quality; building a mindset and tourism products to be ready to welcome tourists when the epidemic is over... It must be said that: The tourism industry has "hit rock bottom" and must brace itself to overcome challenges.
On the side of the Department of Tourism, the solutions that we have been, are and will continue to implement are: Strengthening propaganda and promotion activities, affirming that Nghe An is an extremely safe destination, without any nCoV epidemic up to now; organizing training courses to improve human resources for tourism units during the epidemic period when there are few visitors; coordinating well with the health sector to meet the requirements of disease prevention and control from units...
However, these solutions are not enough, the tourism industry really needs advice and contributions from the tourism companies themselves.
Mr. Tran Ngoc Khoan - Chairman of Nghe An Hotel Association
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The acute respiratory infection caused by nCoV is causing huge damage to the tourism industry. The number of visitors has decreased significantly, these damages are piling up, one after another...
To help tourism businesses overcome this difficult period and "survive well" in the coming time, I propose that the People's Committee of Nghe An province continue to support the tourism industry in promoting destinations; support training to improve the quality of human resources; direct the health sector to help units receive, receive and bring tourists back to ensure safety; support the development of stimulus strategies to attract tourists; consider tax reduction and VAT deferral; consider the issue of allowing units to enjoy preferential policies on electricity bills, land taxes, etc.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hien - Chairman of Nghe An Tourism Association
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The task of Nghe An tourism at this time is to focus on implementing good epidemic prevention and control solutions, not being subjective, causing confusion. Units need to do a good job of environmental sanitation, propaganda; training human resources; providing enough masks for staff, employees and tourists. Currently, masks are very difficult to buy, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee is requested to pay attention to directing sectors and units to fully supply this item.
Now, we need to proactively prepare well for the upcoming peak tourist season by gradually planning; coordinating with the province and the tourism industry to organize events to attract visitors; and building the best products and services for tourists.
Mr. Bui Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for Tourism Development of Nghe An Province
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The nCoV acute respiratory infection epidemic is still complicated, there is no scientific basis to predict when the epidemic will subside. Therefore, Nghe An's political task at this stage is to continue to prioritize and focus on disease prevention and control. More than anyone else, tourism businesses, historical sites, and destinations in the province need to do a good job of disease prevention and hygiene, monitoring, and statistics of tourists who have traveled through epidemic areas, and promptly report to the Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Department of Health.
Nghe An Tourism Association needs to focus on promoting tours, routes, and destinations in Nghe An. The main content for focused promotion is the image of Nghe An as friendly, civilized, safe, and doing a good job in disease prevention and control. Nghe An Department of Tourism synthesizes recommendations from businesses and submits them to the Provincial People's Committee for research and resolution; develops programs, plans, and tourism events to attract tourists immediately after the epidemic ends.
