Danang seeks to attract tourists in low season

Nguyen Thanh

A view of Ba Na Hills Mountain Resort on Ba Na Mountain, a popular destination for visitors to Danang. Danang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local tourism firms are planning promotions to attract visitors from key markets in the low season - PHOTO: PHAM VU

The promotion plans are part of the central city’s travel stimulus program running from September 3 to March 31.

Le Tan Thanh Tung, deputy general director of Vitours, called on Danang to map out an effective promotion plan for new markets, including those in northeast Asia, in addition to guests from South Korea, Japan and China, the city has not lured many tourists from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Danang needs to team up with Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Nam to woo international visitors as large numbers of foreign tourists still visit these neighboring provinces while a low season for travelers has begun in the city.

Tung said the low tourism season in Danang is from September to March. “This period is long, so Danang and local firms should launch attractive promotion activities to drum up the market,” he said.

Tran Chi Cuong, deputy director of the department, said the city’s travel stimulus program targets travelers from various markets, with a focus on the markets having direct air routes linking Vietnam such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Cuong said the city would strive to attract more tourists from traditional markets like Australia, the United States, France, Germany and Britain.

Le Thi Ai Diep, deputy head of accommodation quality management at the Danang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the travel stimulus program has been executed in Danang for years, and has produced good results.

Statistics showed the number of guests at hotels participating in the travel stimulus program last year rose by 15-20%. More than 8,000 tourists bought discount tours of travel firms while nearly 55,000 tourists came to tourist sites and resorts, up nearly 15% compared with the same period 2013.

This month, Danang plans to organize a roadshow in Japan and trips for travel agencies and journalists in Japan, South Korea, Russia and Australia to explore attractions in the city.

In addition to normal tourists, Tung said Danang has products for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) guests.

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