Speaking at the workshop, Chairman of Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Duc Long, emphasised that Quang Ninh aims to turn tourism into its spearhead economic sector, creating a driving force for the local socio-economic development with high professionalism, an international level, synchronous and modern infrastructure and high-quality tourism products imbued with Quang Ninh’s cultural identities, helping it become one of the leading locales in tourism in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Quang Ninh has set the target to welcome 15-16 million visitors, including seven million international travellers by 2020. The total number of tourists should reach 30 million by 2030, of which international visitors will be 15 million.
However, Quang Ninh tourism still faces challenges, including pressure to develop tourism combined with preserving natural and cultural heritages and promoting mineral and construction material production for sustainable development, as well as developing tourism in line with the local urban infrastructure.
Vu Tien Loc, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that with an important geological and geopolitical position in the North, Quang Ninh has advantages for economic development, especially in the tourism sector, but it needs to build links with other provinces and cities to grow together.
In addition to traditional tourism products, Quang Ninh recently has a new type of “institutional" tourism – that is Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) tourism, thanks to its creative and strong action in administrative reform and socio-economic management, to become the bright spot for other localities to study, Loc added.
According to economist Tran Dinh Thien, Quang Ninh needs to focus on promoting its internal resources, including investment from domestic investors, to create a breakthrough for local tourism development, while focusing on building infrastructure and investing in digital connections in an outstanding way.
Delegates at the workshop suggested Quang Ninh focus on building international-level infrastructure facilities and diversifying and improving the quality of tourism products, in addition to improving the quality of human resources for the tourism sector and enhancing environmental protection for sustainable tourism development.
Quang Ninh is renowned for its scenic spots and attractive cultural and historical works, such as Ha Long Bay, Yen Tu Scenic Area and other special national monuments, along with a synchronous and modern infrastructure system consisting of Van Don international airport, Ha Long international cruise port, Ha Long - Hai Phong and Ha Long - Van Don highways, and a system of high-class hotels, resorts and amusement parks.
The change in urban development with new infrastructure projects has been put into operation, and new service and tourism facilities have been launched with higher quality, combined with improved awareness on tourism by local people, businesses and government, has proved and affirmed the right direction of Quang Ninh in the goal of promoting local tourism in line with its heritage values.
