Tourism an economic locomotive to Quang Ninh

In 2013, the tourism sector of northeastern coastal Quang Ninh province made a lot of new advances in all aspects. The province has made constant renovation in the organisation of tourism events and promotion activities to boost the local tourism.
In 2013, the tourism sector of northeastern coastal Quang Ninh provincemade a lot of new advances in all aspects. The province has madeconstant renovation in the organisation of tourism events and promotionactivities to boost the local tourism.

VietnamBusiness Forum interviewed Ha Quang Long, director of the provincialDepartment of Culture, Sports and Tourism, on these achievements.

* Could you please say about the notable achievements of the culture,sports and tourism sector of Quang Ninh province in the past time?

The culture, sports and tourism sector of Quang Ninh province hasreaped positive results in the past time to create a strong foundationfor the future development.

Regarding Statemanagement, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has advisedthe provincial Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committeeto issue important documents, policies and mechanisms and organised manyimportant events.

Typically, the department hasconsulted the provincial People's Committee to issue Plan 4545/KH-UBNDdated September 18, 2011 on the implementation of Resolution 08-NQ/TUdated December 1, 2011 of the Politburo on strengthening leadership ofthe Party and making great strides in culture and sports developmentuntil 2020.

It has consulted the provincialPeople's Committee to promulgate Resolution 07-NQ/TU dated May 24, 2013of the Executive Board of the provincial Party Committee and the Plan5828/KH-UBND dated October 28, 2013 of the provincial People's Committeeon the implementation of Resolution 07-NQ/TU dated May 24, 2013 of theExecutive Board of the provincial Party Committee on tourism developmentuntil 2020, with orientations to 2030.

It hasproposed the provincial People's Committee to issue specific decisionson nutrition for athletes, sportsmen and coaches; financial expenditurefor sports competitions, incentives for athletes, sportsmen andartisans, advised the provincial People's Committee to issue decisionson targets and fundamental solutions to enhance management and promoteeffective operation of cultural and sporting institutions.

The department has counselled the provincial People's Committee tocirculate Directive 11/CT-UBND dated June 22, 2012 on strengtheningmanagement of tourism business environment in the province and issuedregulations on tourism business environment management.

It have also managed monuments and landscapes; built and promotedgrassroots cultural institutions; managed festivals; managed performingarts activities, built standard family lifestyles; developedhigh-achievement sports activities, and sportsman training.

These activities have attained encouraging achievements. Cultural andspiritual life of the people was raised. The standing of Quang Ninhsports is fairly high in the country. Ha Long is a top destination formany foreign and domestic tourists.

The averagetourist arrival growth was 11.8 percent a year in the 2001 - 2010 periodand tourism revenue growth was 24.5 percent a year. In the first 10months of 2013, the province welcomed over 6.5 million visitors, up 10percent year on year. Tourism revenue totalled 4.2 trillion VND (200million USD), up 15 percent year-on-year.

* Marinetourism is the strength of Quang Ninh province. What will the Departmentof Culture, Sports and Tourism do in the coming time to preserve andpromote this tourism sector?

Quang Ninh province hasa 250-km coastline and a vast marine area with many bays, islands,caves, beaches and maritime national parks.

Especially, Quang Ninh province has Ha Long Bay, which has twice beenrecognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and named the New 7Natural Wonders of the World. Van Don - Co To maritime area withprimitive landscapes will be a high-quality marine ecotourism centre inthe future.

Mong Cai seawater area is featured with17-km Tra Co Beach, which used to be called the most lyrical beach inVietnam and Sa Vi Cape on the national frontier border.

Such natural endowments have crystallised cultural traditions andvalues carrying deep identities of local ethnic groups. These are reallyextremely valuable properties and conditions for tourism development.

To protect and promote these potentials, thedepartment has attached great importance to formulating and implementingsectoral planning.

Currently, the department iscarrying out a contract with the United States-based BCG Group toestablish Quang Ninh tourism development plan until 2020, with a visionto 2030. This plan is now near the final stage and is being prepared tobe submitted for approval and announcement. The consultant alsoadvocates developing tourism based on the sea and islands.

Currently, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism isimplementing a scheme to build and develop tourism products, surveyingand opening new routes to popular attractions, and developing marinetourism products and services.

* How has theDepartment of Culture, Sports and Tourism reformed administrativeprocedures to promote tourism business activities?

In recent years, public administration reform has been a top task of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

It has applied the single-window or one-stop source mechanism,reviewed and streamlined nearly 40 administrative procedures; madepublic administrative procedures; applied information technology tomanagement activities; arranged administrative personnel at the serviceof citizens; trained personnel; and established and publicised hotlines.

Therefore, all administrative procedures are settled quickly and conveniently.-VNA

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