Need to synchronize solutions for tourism development

At a dialogue meeting with businesses providing tourism services in the province, held by provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on April 12, many enthusiastic opinions as well as difficulties in tourism industry were raised. Along with that, the delegates exchanged and discussed to find a development direction for Binh Duong tourism in the coming time.

Visitors visit an eco-tourism site in Phu An commune, Ben Cat town.

Positive signals

According to provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the reopening of all tourism activities in March 2022 is absolutely necessary and timely. Since this reopening, Binh Duong tourism industry has recorded positive signals with an increase in the number of visitors, and customer service activities have changed in a good direction.

Accordingly, in 2022, Binh Duong tourism industry is estimated to serve 1.8 million visitors, reaching 120% of the annual target, up 181.3% compared to 2021 (of which 240,000 international tourist arrivals); tourism revenue was estimated at 1,400 billion VND, reaching 117% of the annual target, up 180% compared to 2021. Particularly in the first quarter of 2023, the tourism industry is estimated to serve about 858,000 visitors, reaching 42.9% of the year plan, an increase of 128% over the same period in 2022 (376,898 arrivals); revenue is estimated at 430 billion VND, reaching 26.88% of the year plan, up 135.7% over the same period in 2022.

To achieve the above results, according to Nguyen Thanh Phong, Deputy Director of Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the whole Binh Duong tourism industry has made unremitting efforts to overcome difficulties and challenges to gradually recover and renew themselves, in line with the needs and tastes of tourists after the pandemic. In order to reopen, but still have to ensure the safety of visitors, travel companies in the province developed different customer service plans, in accordance with the actual situation and conditions, constantly improve the quality, refresh their brand image to increase competitiveness in the market.

To accompany businesses, Department of Culture, Sports & Tourism has also implemented many programs and activities to guide and support businesses to resume development activities, such as: advise Provincial People's Committee to approve the tourism development project until 2025, orientation towards 2030 and implementation plan; formulate a plan to implement a program on rural tourism development in the new rural construction; organize a meeting and dialogue with travel companies in the province to assess the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the industry, discuss directions to reopen tourism activities and solutions for recovery in the near future...

In addition, promotional activities, advertising, and tourism information are also intensified in many forms. Since then, it has contributed to promoting the image of provincial tourism, attracting tourists coming to Binh Duong.

Worrying about development

Although there has been a recovery and prosperity after a period affected by the Covid-19, the province's tourism industry is currently facing many difficulties and problems that affect its growth. At the recent meeting, the competent and travel businesses in the province acknowledged and pointed out shortcomings and limitations.

Accordingly, the current biggest limitation to the province's tourism industry is that travel products are not diverse to attract tourists. According to Nguyen Viet Hung, Chairman and General Director of Vietnam Events Travel Joint Stock Company, the biggest difficulty facing Binh Duong tourism is that there is no breakthrough product. On the other hand, some units have not paid attention to bringing tourists from outside the province to Binh Duong. Therefore, he proposed Department of Culture, Sports & Tourism cooperates with Provincial Tourism Association to set up a survey board to develop tourism products.

“If you want customers, you have to have a good product. To have a product, there must be surveys and evaluations. On that basis, new products are formed and put into operation to serve tourists. On the other hand, businesses must bond with each other, sign a commitment together to implement the tourism stimulus program, and work together to develop", said Nguyen Viet Hung.

Some travel businesses also said that in the past time, they launched new products to attract tourists, but do not know why these cannot attract tourists. Vo Kim Thanh, Deputy General Director of Dai Nam Joint Stock Company, said that to meet the needs of tourists, recently, Dai Nam Park launches new services, such as guiding tourists to ride horse, experience Vietnamese village farm, but mainly guests from outside the province. Thanh said: “We hope Department of Culture, Sports & Tourism would work with Department of Education and Training to introduce tourism products of the province in order to create a chance for students in the province to have fun and experience, and help travel businesses exploit the student market, contributing to increase the number of tourists for the province".

Besides difficulties in building typical tourism products and attracting tourists, some other businesses believe that they are also facing difficulties in training human resources; capital support; problems with land, construction at rural eco-tourism sites...

In order for Binh Duong tourism to develop further in the coming time, there are still many issues that need the attention and coordination of relevant levels and branches. However, in addition to the State’s support, travel companies themselves need to be innovative and creative in creating attractive and quality new products as well as form a bond for one common goal of tourism development in the province.

Reported by Hong Thuan - Translated by Ngoc Huynh