In light of globally raging COVID-19 crisis hampering the rebound in tourism industry around the world, Da Nang has no ways other than to push forwards innovations in its tourism promotion strategies to attract more tourists, especially foreigners, after Viet Nam opens its borders and resumes all international flights following successful containment of the global pandemic in the near future.

Digital transformation plays an important role in tourism promotion schemes. A representative from a Da Nang tourism business is pictured introducing products through tech apps at the recent 2020 National Conference on Tourism

Noticeably, the Da Nang Tourism Association has recently partnered with municipal Department of Tourism to make the debut of the second tourism stimulus programme with a view of stimulating travel demand for the rebound and revitalisation of domestic tourism, following the first running from 23 May to 31 June, following successful containment of the first coronavirus wave in Da Nang.

Of especial note, one of the new innovations observed from the latest stimulus programme is that, instead of offering discounts and other attractive deals just at press conferences as previously, this much-awaited event was broadcast live on the Danang FantastiCity fanpage.

Dada published by the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Agency show, in a short time of about one hour, the virtual event attracted a combined total of more than 30,000 likes and comments, and over 44,000 views.

This new approach, in deed, was hailed by the general public, for bringing up a high efficiency in boosting interactions with netizens, especially enabling them to gain deeper insights into what Da Nang longs to offer to its potential holiday makers.

During his recent meeting with the Da Nang tourism industry leaders, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung suggested that Vietnamese localities, including Da Nang, innovate its way of boosting tourism promotion.

Amidst the trend of digital transformation in the world currently being stronger than ever, the application of digital technology in tourism operations to make the best possible travel experience is very essential to businesses active in tourism industry, hereby partly assisting them in surviving, and gaining profits even amid the pandemic.

Pandemic-induced challenges, as they turn out, spur Vietnamese localities to struggle in their own way to revitalise their local tourism industry, and Da Nang is no exception.

The application of IT and digital tech tools into tourism promotion activities has been on right course with some fruitful results recorded, Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Truong Thi Hong Hanh confidently said.

A large number of travel-themed webinars have been held by Da Nang tourism industry in an effort to market Da Nang's tourism to such key potential international markets as Singapore, India, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and Japan.

Also noticeably, June saw a Da Nang and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)-signed bilateral agreement under which, a 30-second video highlighting the beauty of the city is shown on BBC’s Asia-Pacific channel daily at intervals of peak hours during the month. The intention was to promote Da Nang as a dynamic, friendly and safe destination for international tourists with its rich traditional culture and unique and diverse cuisines.

Da Nang is enjoying more signs of rebound in its tourism industry. Such renowned airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, BamBoo, and Vietjet, are seeing higher ticket booker volumes on flights bounding for Da Nang.

Also vibrantly, Da Nang-based tour operators like BenThanh Tourist, Vietravel, Vitours and Sun Travel have been arranging tours for large groups of tourists flocking to this central Vietnamese city in November and December.

By NHAT HA- Translated by A.T