Solutions discussed to resuscitate tourism post-COVID-19

Local authorities and travel agencies have discussed measures to help revive tourism as the industry has been hard-hit by the global coronavirus pandemic.

4D technology for tourism museums introduced at a seminar on smart tourism held in Da Nang City on May 21, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Thanh Tam)
4D technology for tourism museums introduced at a seminar on smart tourism held in Da Nang City on May 21, 2020. (Photo: NDO/Thanh Tam)

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Innovating, adapting and enhancing the application of IT is a new direction to help resuscitate the tourism sector, heard a conference on smart tourism held in Da Nang City on May 21.

According to a report from the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the central coastal city’s tourism suffered severe damages in the first quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19, with losses estimated at over VND1.8 trillion. In the first four months this year, the total number of tourists visiting Da Nang reached approximately 1 million, down 58% over the same period in 2019. Of the figure, international visitors were estimated at 575,000, down 50%. Total tourism revenue in the first four months decreased by 51% compared to the same period last year.

However, the past four months also witnessed the promotion of IT application and innovation into social life in Da Nang. Being deployed amidst the past social distancing period, the “See you in Da Nang” campaign run by Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre has been introducing beautiful scenery or a tourist destination in Da Nang on various social networks every day. The campaign has been spread to attract the huge attention from young people, as well as domestic and international visitors.

Representatives from local businesses also shared their successful Industry 4.0 business solutions to help them survive during the social distancing period. Some new technologies, such as a platform for corporate governance and administration (base.vn) and an online fair app (Online Fair), were also introduced to help businesses in the tourism - service sector to restart after the COVID-19 epidemic.

On the same day, a conference was organised in Hanoi to help representatives from major businesses in aviation, travel, and hospitality as well as industry experts seek ways to promote domestic tourism and restart the international tourism market post-COVID-19.

Delegates discuss ways to promote domestic tourism and restart the international tourism market post-COVID-19 at a seminar in Hanoi on May 21, 2020. (Photo: Ha Noi Moi)

Head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh said that to stimulate domestic tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has initiated a programme to encourage Vietnamese to travel to local destinations.

He highlighted the significance of sound connectivity between localities, travel companies, and hotels in this regard, stating that this is a suitable time for groups and businesses to prove their leading role.

With two sessions, the conference also looked into feasible tourism opportunities in promising markets after the pandemic fully passes.

Participants proposed Governments, ministries, and agencies consider policies regarding reopening the country to foreign visitors at an appropriate time and resuming certain air routes.

Bolstering domestic tourism during the upcoming summer holidays and working on a roadmap to reopen doors to international holidaymakers, initially those from countries and territories that have contained the disease, are the best options towards the recovery of the tourism industry, according to VNAT.

Also, on May 21, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Can Tho City hosted a conference to stimulate tourism and introduce new tourism products in the Mekong Delta city in post-COVID-19.

In order to have effective tourism stimulus, delegates at the event suggested that it is necessary to build new, unique and low-priced stimulating products to promote tourism services serving tourists, as well as ensuring the disease prevention for travelers.

Accompanying travel businesses, on the local side, Director of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City Nguyen Khanh Tung announced that in the second half of the year, Can Tho will host a range of major cultural events, such as: the Cai Rang Floating Market Cultural Tourism Festival in July 7, the Phong Dien Eco-Tourism Festival in September, and the Ninh Kieu - Can Tho Flower Garlands and Lanterns Night Tourism Festival in November. In 2021, Can Tho will host the Vietnam International Travel Mart, scheduled to take place from April 20-24 next year.