In the light of the coronavirus outbreak being effectively brought under control in Da Nang, the government is taking proative steps to revive the city's struggling tourism after closing the city’s doors to visitors in an effort to combat second coronavirus wave.

Post-pandemic tourism recovery solutions must be taken to stimulate domestic travel whilst ensuring the safety for local residents and visitors. Picture taken at the Marble Mountains Tourism Area in June

Further relaxations of social distancing restrictions in Da Nang took effect from 11 September, whilst all forms of passenger transport services (by road, rail, air and water) has been resumed their operations and serviced accommodation establishments are allowed to reopen. Despite such encouraging facts, Da Nang tourism industry remains facing some difficulties on its tough recovery journey.

Mr Le Tan Thanh Tung, Deputy General Director of the Vitours pointed out to the fact that from now until late this year, many domestic tourists may be reluctant to visit Da Nang on fears over virus resurgence in the city.

Still discouragingly, from the September – December period is the city’s low season for domestic tourists.

Until there is a vaccine and the virus is eliminated succesfully in Viet Nam may its tourism indistry rebound to its full potential as it did during pre-pandemic periods.

Meanwhile, Director of Indochina Unique Tourist Co., Ltd. Nguyen Son Thuy said, many serviced accommodation establishments in Da Nang remain closed amid the city seeing a low tourist numbers after obtaining permission from the municipal government for reopening.

“Given forecasts by the World Health Organization (WHO) and tourism organisations around the world, tourism can’t bounce back until late next year”, said Thuy.

Current forecasts by the Da Nang Tourism Department suggest the number of tourist visits made to Da Nang could drop by 68.6% by late this year when compared with last year to stand at only 2.7 million. In total, tourism could generate an estimated 10,788 billion VND to Da Nang's economy in 2020, down by 65.1% when compared to last year.

Picture taken at Son Tra Night Market in early July

In the coming time, it is necessary for Da Nang to launch a wide range of cultural events to attract visitors. In particular, actions should be taken to foster the city’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism, which can bring in much higher revenue for the city than the other types of tourism because it attracts a large number of high-spending visitors. The majority of MICE tour bookers are businesses who want to combine organising conferences or seminars with travelling.

Other effective solutions included the offering of deals on Da Nang holiday packages to domestic travellers, and the reception of famtrip and presstrip delegations of representatives from travel and media agencies to survey local tourism products and attractions.

Besides, from now until late next year, a discount of at least 50% should be set on entrance fees to the city’s attractions, while more fundings from the city government and financial sources from private local businesses should be spent organising events of different sales to attract more visitors.

The mutual cooperation with the provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam should be strengthened to drive the tourism recovery from the coronavirus crisis, with a focus on encouraging the return of domestic visitors, and ensure the safety for them in these localities.

In the coming time, the city will take actions to accelerate nightlife activities. During the 2021 – 2023 period, investment will be channeled into the development of the An Thuong tourist quarter, in Ngu Hanh Son District’s My An Ward, the Bach Dang Night Market, and nighttime entertainment services near the western side of the Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, and along Tran Hung Dao riverside street and major coastal routes.

During the 2023 – 2025 period, focus will be given to expanding a number of nightlife hot spots, along with formulating incentive mechanisms and policies in a bid to attract more investment into Da Nang’s tourism industry.

By THU HA - Translated by A.T