Lam Hai Giang,Vice Chairman of the Binh Dinh Provincial People’s Committee, said the tourismindustry had been seriously affected and the country needed to work hard forrecovery. However, the opening of international tourism depended ondisease control as well as vaccine coverage.
“Theconnection among localities and businesses in tourism recovery and developmentis very necessary. Without this connection, the tourism industrywill struggle,” Giang said.
He said that theprovince planned to welcome guests on package tours because it was notsafe to receive individual visitors. The province was considering criteria andconditions for tourists. Binh Dinh would set criteria for arrivals tothe province to ensure safety.
“Binh Dinh wassupposed to be a new destination, but 'new is old if we don’t know how to renewourselves'. The province wants to offer the most comfortable experience forguests. This is why procedures for picking up passengers and traffic hubsmust be simple and safe. The province will introduce measures to both ensurepandemic control and create comfort for visitors,” he added.
Ultimately,the success of the programme would depend on the efforts of businesses.Enterprises needed to be ready in terms of facilities, human resources andhaving new products for customers.
Tran VanThanh, Director of Binh Dinh’s Department of Tourism, said that the provincewas developing specific plans.
On average, BinhDinh welcomes around 200,000 international visitors every year, but due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, the province only received 77,000 visitors.
“We arecontinuing to research and focus on the East Asian, Southeast Asian and USmarkets. To prepare to welcome international guests, Binh Dinh gives priorityto safety and flexibly adapting according to the Government’s policy.Accordingly, Binh Dinh has strongly implemented COVID-19 preventionmeasures."
In addition,it is necessary to encourage tourism businesses to meet 3-4-5 star standardsand prepare conditions to welcome guests.
In 2022, ifthe COVID-19 pandemic is under control, the province will continue to increasethe number of tourists, trying to welcome 80,000 – 100,000 domestic visitors.
In the secondhalf of 2022, the province wishes to welcome international guests. Accordingly,the province could welcome 400,000 domestic tourists and over 100,000international visitors.
Nguyen Hoang Vu,Chairman of Binh Dinh Tourism Association, said that the 4th wave of COVID-19lasted for a long time, severely affecting the society and the economy.However, Quy Nhon City had vaccinated 97 per cent of the population andwas ready to welcome tourists, ensuring the dual goals of both economicdevelopment and pandemic prevention.
“Humanresources are also an important factor that Binh Dinh needs to pay attention toin stimulating tourism demand. We are facing a lack of human resources intourism and need a long-term plan for human resources to serve the upcomingtourism development,” Vu said.
Vu The Binh, PermanentVice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that Binh Dinh has greatpotential to become the tourist centre of the South Central region. However,the perception of tourism development in localities was not uniform and neitherwere their policies. Bình outlined two issues. The first was to always ensureCOVID-19 prevention and get people vaccinated, while the second was toprevent further outbreaks.
“Businesseswill understand the problems. We must believe in them. The decisive issue isthat the locality comes up with a specific and feasible solution, andbusinesses need to implement it seriously on ways to prevent COVID-19,” headded.
Nguyen Manh Quan,Permanent Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways, said that domestic tourismwould be a focus in the fourth quarter. However, the Government andbusinesses also needed to consider the restoration of flight routes, spreadingthe message of green tourism with specific criteria. In terms of stimulatingdemand, the main goal was to create green products.
"Currently,Vietnam has five localities that are eligible to welcome internationalvisitors. If Binh Dinh could become the 6th tourism destination, thedevelopment opportunities for the industry would be better. It needs theGovernment’s support as well as the efforts of localities and businesses,” Quansaid.
He added thatBamboo Airways had operated international flights to Vietnam. Most flights,after a rigorous testing and isolation process, ensured safety, and it was veryrare that cases arise. This would be an important condition to enter theopening phase to welcome international guests as well as participatein recovery.
Cao Tri Dung,Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, suggested that Binh Dinh province’sleaders create conditions for businesses to overcome difficulties. Servicefacilities, destinations, and tourism companies in the province needed toquickly offer unique product packages.
For eachstream of visitors, it was necessary to have a different ecosystem for travelcompanies to easily deploy and exploit their strengths. Travel businesses alsoneeded more distinctive products.
From abusiness perspective, Bui Hai Huyen, member of the Board of Directors, GeneralDirector of FLC Group, proposed to get early approval to recognise Binh Dinh asa green destination as soon as possible, before January 2022.
The provinceshould continue to promote co-operation with neighbouring localities to attracttourists. It also needed to quickly give detailed instructions to serviceproviders, tourists and residents. Finally, the province could promotecommunication, co-ordinate with FLC Group to make Binh Dinh a new andattractive destination. Travel companies needed to come up with initiatives forBinh Dinh in general and FLC in particular to introduce and promote products toforeign travel agencies.
“To preparefor welcoming international guests, FLC also commits that BambooAirways and the group's ecosystem will comply with the instructions by agenciesin welcoming international passengers; continuously upgrade servicesand strengthen disease control capacity. In addition, FLC has expanded vaccinationcoverage. Currently, all staff of Quy Nhon and FLC have had two doses ofvaccines. We have built a self-contained, safe, full-service tourism programmeand submitted it to Binh Dinh Province with the hope of early approval toprepare to welcome international guests,” she added./.