Nghe An aims for sustainable development of tourism industry

• PV: Can you evaluate the outstanding results of Nghe An tourism industry in 2022?

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong:On March 15, 2022, the Government allowed the reopening of tourism activities. Along with the whole country, Nghe An has proactively implemented many solutions to reopen tourism activities and welcome international visitors since February 27, 2022. Many tourist destinations such as: Kim Lien Relic Site (Nam Dan), Vinh City, Cua Lo Town, tourist destinations in the Western region of Nghe An... attract a large number of tourists to visit and experience.

Travel and transportation services business activitiestouristand accommodation are both bustling again with the increasing demand of the domestic tourist market. In 2022, the whole province welcomed and served more than 6.7 million tourists; tourism revenue reached 5,602 billion VND (187% of the plan).

In the first two months of 2023, the whole province welcomed and served 1.3 million arrivals, of which 800,000 were overnight guests. Total revenue from tourists reached VND 2,653 billion, of which tourism revenue was estimated at VND 1,005 billion.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of Nghe An Department of Tourism. Photo: Cong Kien

However, besides the advantages, tourism activities in 2022 still face difficulties and challenges. That is, the progress of implementing some key tourism projects is still slow, such as Cau Cau Tourism, Mixed Services and Resort Project; Vinpearl Cua Hoi Entertainment Area, Bai Lu Tourism Area Project...

Tourism products are not yet strongly attractive to out-of-province tourists; service quality in accommodation establishments shows signs of decline; there is a shortage of trained and skilled human resources...

PV: It can be affirmed that after 2 years of being heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism activities in 2022 are quite vibrant with positive results. To prepare for the launch of Tourism Year 2023, what activities has Nghe An tourism industry implemented, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong:Continuing the recovery and growth momentum of 2022, currently, tourist destinations in the province are focusing on kicking off Tourism Year 2023, such as renovating the campus, recruiting more human resources to meet service business requirements during peak months.

In addition, many tourist attractions in the Western districts such as Hon Mat Tourist Area, Truong Gia Farm... in Nghia Dan district, community tourism attractions in Que Phong district in recent times have been focused on investing in a number of additional products and services by units.check-in pointnew so often attract a large number of tourists to experience.

For key tourist areas such as Nam Dan district, Cua Lo town and Vinh city, they have focused on directing the implementation of a number of activities since the beginning of the year. Cua Lo town alone is implementing environmental sanitation, garbage collection and treatment, sand screening along the beach; upgrading and expanding a number of roads; urban beautification and repairing and upgrading restaurants and hotels.

Fireworks display to celebrate the opening of Cua Lo Tourism Festival 2022. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In particular, after clearing the row of kiosks on the east side of Binh Minh Street, restaurants and hotels on the west side of Binh Minh Street are stepping up preparations to open food service businesses in time to serve customers in 2023. Recently, the town has organized a meeting with departments, branches, units and media agencies to discuss coordination work.

To prepare for a more successful 2023 Tourism Year, the town has also proactively implemented early kick-off activities, including organizing the "Sea Daisy Ao Dai" Festival in March, while also preparing well for the opening ceremony of Cua Lo Sea Tourism Year in early April.

On the side of the Department of Tourism, in addition to directing and urging localities and tourist destinations in the province, the department has made plans to survey and develop new products to attract tourists.

From March 19 to 21, the department will organizeFamtrip groupPresstrip surveyed a number of eco-tourism spots in Anh Son, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong and Que Phong districts to support localities in selecting and developing new products, connecting with travel companies and press agencies to promptly promote, exploit and serve customers in the coming time.

Tourists visit Kim Lien relic site (Nam Dan). Photo: Dinh Tuyen

At the same time, promote tourism promotion, expand the tourist market associated with digital transformation in tourism. In the coming time, the Department of Tourism will continue to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs to organize a number of activities and events to promote Nghe An tourism in Gwangju province (Korea), research to open charter flights between Nghe An province and Gwangju province and some other provinces; gradually expand the international tourist market.

Develop and digitize tourism destination data using 360° technology; post and promote Nghe An tourism activities and programs on mobile apps and smart tourism websites: www.visitnghean.com to promptly provide new and necessary information to tourists when coming to Nghe An.

PV: It is known that in 2022, the tourism industry will be in shortage of human resources due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. To improve service business efficiency, how will the industry overcome this problem in 2023, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong:Due to the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic, many workers in the industry have had to switch to other jobs, causing businesses to lack human resources. To overcome this situation, the tourism industry has proposed solutions to promote training and improve the capacity of state management officials and civil servants, while continuing to organize training and professional development for leaders and managers of hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tourist attractions on topics that are close to practical needs.

Innovate and diversify training forms, focusing on vocational skills and soft skills training for the workforce directly serving tourism, gradually meeting national tourism vocational skills standards; organize training and foster knowledge and skills for the community participating in tourism business, contributing to promoting destinations and tourism images of the locality.

Tourists listen to explanations at Kim Lien Special National Relic Site. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In addition, the tourism sector will coordinate with the provincial Labor Federation to organize vocational competitions and train skilled workers in accommodation establishments and restaurants for workers. Recently, the Department of Tourism has organized a number of vocational training courses in accommodation establishments and tourism service establishments in the area.

PV: With the goal that by 2023, Nghe An will welcome and serve 7.940 million tourists; of which, 5.240 million will be overnight guests; 81.5 thousand international visitors; tourism service revenue will reach 7,470 billion VND, what key solutions has the Nghe An tourism industry proposed, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong:The 2023 orientation was agreed upon by the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee with the following content: Continue to effectively implement Action Program No. 55-CTr/TU of the Provincial Party Standing Committee to implement Resolution 08-NQ/TW of the Politburo on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector in Nghe An, period 2017-2030, in conjunction with the Party's guidelines and resolutions, the State's policies and laws on tourism and the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress.

Coordinate to urge and speed up the progress of key tourism and service investment projects; strengthen the quality management of projects.tourism products, services; building a safe, civilized, and friendly tourism environment to enhance the value of attractive tourism products and increase tourist spending after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourists check in at Hon Mat tourist destination (Nghia Dan). Photo: CSCC

On that basis, the Steering Committee has proposed specific solutions: Strengthening the direction and organization of the implementation of Resolution 08-NQ/TW of the Politburo on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector and the Party and State's policies and guidelines on tourism and the Action Program to implement the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress.

Implement synchronous measures to effectively control the Covid-19 epidemic in the tourism sector; Continue to promote infrastructure development, attract investment to develop new tourism products and services, meeting the requirements of serving tourists. Strengthen cooperation and linkage to develop tourism inside and outside the province; Innovate and improve the effectiveness of tourism promotion work associated with digital transformation and building tourism human resources to meet the requirements of the task.

PV: Regarding Nghe An tourism, many opinions say that we have not made any breakthroughs and do not have products that create a unique brand. So in the coming time, what should we do to overcome this situation and move towards sustainable development, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong:At the conference to review 5 years of implementing Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW of the Politburo on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector, organized by the Provincial Party Standing Committee at the end of 2022, delegates also mentioned this issue.

Regarding solutions, the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee has agreed on the direction and tasks for developing Nghe An tourism in the 2021-2025 period, including the content of building unique tourism products. Gradually restructure tourism products in the direction of focused development and improving quality on the basis of building unique products with the Nghe An tourism brand.

Tourists check in at Truong Gia Farm tourist site (Nghia Dan). Photo: CSCC

Currently, the Prime Minister has approved the Plan for conservation, restoration and promotion of the value of the special National Monument Memorial Area.President Ho Chi Minhin Kim Lien commune (Nam Dan). On that basis, gradually build Kim Lien Relic Site into a unique product carrying the Nghe An tourism brand.

In addition, speed up the progress of key coastal resort tourism projects in Cua Lo Town, Nghi Loc District, Hoang Mai Town, Thanh Chuong District; build Vinh City into a center for conference and seminar tourism; develop types of eco-tourism associated with community cultural experiences, discovery tourism in the Western districts, rural tourism associated with high-tech agricultural models; promote the exploitation of intangible cultural values ​​to create unique and attractive tourism products. With this direction, I believe that Nghe An tourism will develop more and more sustainably.

PV: Thank you!