Huynh Tan Vinh, chairman of the Danang Tourism Association, said Danang has great potential for developing the tourism sector. The Han River and a coastal road connecting Son Tra Peninsula and the ancient town of Hoi An is good for tourism development, especially Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Events (MICE), he said.
Danang plans to receive 6.6 million tourists in 2018
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It will also regularly host tourism, sport, culture, and festival events at national, regional and international levels to promote Danang as a friendly destination.
However, Vinh said, policy and master plan shortcomings can impede the industry’s development, explaining that the city has too many resorts and high-rise hotels which have adverse effects on its natural environment due to sea pollution.
It was estimated that as of September 2017, Danang was home to 653 lodging facilities with 25,756 rooms, 313 travel agencies, 3,158 tour guides and 28 international flights to the city.
Vinh said that the city will restructure tourism to ensure sustainable development, suspend the licensing of new hi-rise buildings, raise awareness of officials, cadres, workers and travel agencies about the enforcement of Tourism Law 2017, invest in technical infrastructure, promote tourism marketing, improve tourism workforce quality, enhance State management in the field and diversify tourism products.
General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Van Tuan suggested taking a flexible approach to tourism development, towards turning Da Nang into a leading MICE tourism hub.
The central coastal city of Danang has become a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists in recent years thanks to its famous beautiful destinations, especially beaches. Visitors can admire the natural wonders in Ba Na Hills, explore the jungle in Son Tra Peninsula, and pray at Linh Ung Pagoda with Vietnam’s highest Bodhisattva Statue at 67 meters.
The number of tourists to Danang has risen six-fold from 1.2 million in 2008 to an estimated 6.6 million in 2018, with respective revenue totaling VND2 trillion (US$88.1 million) and roughly VND20 trillion ($881 million), Vinh said.
The city hopes to welcome 8.9 – 9.35 million tourists by 2020, growth of nearly 14 percent from 2016-2020. Total tourism earnings are hoped to hit VND36.4 trillion ($1.61 billion), contributing roughly 25 percent to the local economy.
In a bid to reach the above targets, greater efforts will be made to make Danang an international cruise ship and yacht receiving centre as an increasing number of cruise ship passengers have been arriving in the city over recent years. Special attention will be paid to developing a chain of high-quality and special tourism products in the city.
Chairman of the municipal Travel Association Cao Tri Dung highlighted the importance of training high-quality human resources for the hospitality sector, improving the quality of tourism services, and increasing the competitiveness of local tourism businesses. More direct flights between Danang and such countries as Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, and the United States, plus places in Europe, should be opened in the near future.
