Why are international tourists not interested in Nghe An?

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According to statistics from the Department of Tourism, in 2022, Nghe An welcomed and served 6.73 million tourists, including 35,000 international visitors. Compared to the total number of visitors to Nghe An, the number of international visitors accounts for a very small proportion (about 0.52%). Meanwhile, foreign visitors often stay for a long time, have large spending levels, bringing in high revenue, contributing to promoting and spreading the image of tourism.

In 2022, the number of international tourists to Vietnam will reach about 3.66 million, of which the number of visitors to Nghe An will account for about 0.95%. That means compared to major domestic tourist centers such as Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Nha Trang and Kien Giang, the number of international visitors to Nghe An is still modest, if not very small.

Tourist attractions in Nghe An are not yet attractive to international visitors. Photo: Le Quang Dung

According to representatives of some travel agencies in Nghe An, international tourists often do not choose Nghe An as a destination but only as a place to stay on the way.discoverVietnam. On the way to destinations in the South and the North, visitors often choose to stop overnight at large hotels in Vinh city.

Ms. Cao Thi Thanh - Chief Representative of Vietravel Vinh branch said: "Compared to other branches, Vinh branch receives very few international visitors, from the beginning of the year until now only about 2-3 groups. Visitors to Nghe An mainly stop to stay overnight, only a few people go to visit Uncle Ho's hometown or go to Muong Thanh Dien Lam Eco-tourism Area to play golf".

Similarly, Ms. Le Phuong Anh - Director of SAB Tourism Company based in Vinh city said that since the beginning of the year, her company has only welcomed 3 foreign groups with about 90 people. Most of the guests come from Laos and Thailand and only stop in Vinh city before going to other locations.

Foreign tourists visit the Nghe Tinh Soviet Museum. Photo: CSCC

Tourism managers and experts all shared the same opinion when discussing the issue of international tourists coming to Nghe An. At the meeting to deploy tasks for 2023 of the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee, many opinions said that in some tourist areas such as Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Tam Coc - Bich Dong (Ninh Binh), Phong Nha - Ke Bang (Quang Binh), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), "whenever you go out, you will meet foreign tourists".

But in Nghe An, even during peak season in Cua Lo andKim Lien Relic Site(Nam Dan) the number of foreign tourists is not much. In addition, Pu Mat National Park (Con Cuong) also attracts some tourists from Europe to visit and experience.

Increase investment, promote

Discussing the reason why international tourists are often "picky" about Nghe An, or in other words, Nghe An tourism is not yet attractive to international tourists, representatives of travel agencies said that Nghe An has too few destinations suitable to the needs of foreign tourists.

“International tourists, especially European tourists, often choose luxury resorts or destinations with many entertainment services and natural exploration such as Ha Long Bay, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, Ba Na Hills, Da Lat, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. In Nghe An, in addition to Muong Thanh Dien Lam Eco-tourism Area, Kim Lien Relic Site andCua Lo“In the summer, there are almost no destinations that attract many foreign tourists,” said Ms. Cao Thi Thanh - Chief Representative of Vietravel Vinh branch.

According to Ms. Le Phuong Anh - Director of SAB Tourism Company, foreign visitors to Nghe An are mainly Lao tourists coming for sightseeing and vacation in the summer. In addition, there are visitors from China and Thailand but not regularly and in small numbers. In Nghe An, there are no places that have been invested in properly, have not fully exploited their potential and value, so they only attract domestic tourists, not many international tourists.

French tourists experience sunflower fields (Nghia Dan). Photo: Le Quang Dung

From the perspective of a State manager, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong - Director of the Department of Tourism, said that in addition to the fact that destinations have not received adequate investment, "tight" management is also a reason why tourists rarely choose to experience Nghe An.

For example, Puxailaileng Peak (Ky Son) is a destination that can attract international visitors, especially visitors from European countries. However, Puxailaileng Peak is located in the border area, and to explore and experience it, one must have the supervision and guidance of the border guards, making many tourists hesitate before choosing this destination.

Regarding solutions to attract international tourists to Nghe An, in addition to macro issues such as appropriate and flexible visa policies and visa exemption for potential markets; restructuring the tourism market, the requirement is to improve the quality of destinations and build unique products.

This issue has been clearly recognized by the Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Provincial Tourism Development Steering Committee and is in the process of developing the Kim Lien Relic Site into a National Tourist Area and a unique product with a brand name.tourismNghe An; speed up the progress of key coastal resort tourism projects in Cua Lo Town, Nghi Loc Town, Hoang Mai Town, Thanh Chuong Town; build Vinh city into a MICE tourism center and develop eco-tourism associated with exploring and experiencing community culture in the Western districts.

Muong Long (Ky Son) can be built into a tourist destination to attract international visitors. Photo: Ho Nhat Thanh

Besides, according to tourism experts and representatives of international travel companies, promoting the potential and strengths of Nghe An tourism to international friends is also a very important issue. Because people in countries around the world do not know much about Nghe An, do not know the province's destinations, so we must take advantage of participating in promotional events, international tourism and trade fairs and increase promotion on the media.

According to the plan, in 2023, Vietnam will welcome ASEAN delegations to attend major tourism events such as the VITM International Tourism Fair in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a series of events of the National Tourism Year 2023 in Binh Thuan province, Hue Festival 2023... This is an opportunity for Nghe An to introduce and promote tourism to international friends, gradually attracting foreign tourists./.