Da Nang government has developed an action plan to help the tourism industry recover after its ‘long hibernation’ due to the adverse impacts of the virus resurgence as the outbreak is under control in the city. 

The Da Nang authorities are taking actions to help the tourism sector recover from Covid-19, with a focus on promoting Da Nang as an attractive destination in Viet Nam to visit, study and invest.

Statistics released by the Department of Tourism show that there are 398 travel agencies and 16 tourist attractions across Da Nang. Till date, 955 of the total 1,080 serviced accommodation establishments, 350 transport providers and 27 tourist boats have been suspended in an effort to control the virus after Da Nang braced for a second Covid-19 epidemic wave in late July.  

Director of the Hai Van Cat international travel company Nguyen Minh Xoang pointed out to the fact that, from now until late this year, many domestic tourists may be reluctant to visit Da Nang over their fear of the potential virus resurgence. Until there is a vaccine and the virus is eliminated completely in the country may the national tourism rebound to its full potential as it did during pre-pandemic periods. 

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.

Currently, it is essential to develop an action plan to drive post-pandemic tourism recovery.  More recently, representatives of the Da Nang Department of Tourism participated in the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism-held webinar on supporting Vietnamese tourism businesses to get through hard times.

Besides, the local tourism sector’s leaders worked with those from the Da Nang Centre of Integrated Circuits (CENTIC) and the Green Global Information Technology JSC to consider the application of smart technology in managing visitors on the Son Tra Peninsula.

In the face of a highly-possible sharp drop in visitor arrivals in the city and tourism revenue for the time being, the Da Nang Tourism Department has issued plans to revive this sector after the municipal government allows tourism and travel activities to resume operations.

At the same time, focus will be on launching the Da Nang Tourism Stimulus Programme 2021, restoring business activities, reviving domestic tourist markets, hosting a number of major national and international-level festivals and events next year in a bid to increase tourist arrivals in the city.

Workforce in the city's tourism industry is in desperate need of more support to overcome their financial difficulties

At present, the operation of tourist attractions and travel services, plus other related tourism activities remain closed in the city until further notice under the city's ongoing restrictions.  

Only serviced accommodation establishments have been allowed to reopen from 5 September. However, the city's recommended precautions are required to take to ensure the ultimate safety of staff and guests.

All the serviced accommodation establishments are required to introduce the municipal Department of Tourism helplines to their guests for free advice and assistance, including Visitor Support Center (0236.3550111), the Accommodation Management Office (0236.3863499), and Travel Rapid Response Team (0919.247. 009) to promptly solve any problems and difficulties facing their guests.

As tourism is the most heavily affected sector by Covid-19, workforce in this sector are currently facing financial difficulties in their lives, and they are now looking forwards receiving the timely all-kind support from the municipal authorities.

Statistics released by the Da Nang Labour Union show that more than 56,000 people have lost their jobs across the city, more than 44,000 of whom work in the tourism sector, nearly double the figure recorded in the first wave of the virus spread in April since a second wave of Covid-19 infections hit Da Nang in late July. 

By THU HA – Translated by A.T