The Da Nang tourism industry is now on track of developing tourist markets and promoting communications tools to promote the city’s image as a safe, friendly, hospitable destination to both domestic and international tourists in light of the still complicated global COVID-19 crisis. In particular, communications activities are being deployed in a prompt yet effective manner for the time being, targeting certain tourist groups.

Da Nang is on track of attracting more domestic tourists. Here are visitors arriving in Da Nang by air.

Trying to attract more domestic customers 

The globally complicated COVID-19 pandemic has forced Viet Nam to remain shut to foreign tourists. As a result, Da Nang is doubling down on its efforts in attracting domestic tourists the more the better throughout this year.

COVID-19 has imposed a great impact on tourists' financial status, making them turn more interested in incentive packages or tourism stimulus packages. Fully aware if this trend, the Da Nang tourism industry has taken the initiative to change the structure of locally-developed tourism products.

Deputy Director of the musical Department of Tourism Nguyen Xuan Binh revealed that that the city’s tourism communications plans set for this year still focus on fully tapping the domestic tourist market.

For the time being, the majority of tourists arriving in Da Nang hail from its neighbouring provinces such as Quang Binh, Thua Thien - Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai, plus localities to which Da Nang has direct flights such as Ha Noi, HCMC, Can Tho, Hai Phong, Buon Ma Thuot and Pleiku, with a focus on potential areas in the Central Highlands and the southwest region.

Da Nang will target at serving family groups, M.I.C.E (Meetings-Incentives-Conferences-Exhibitions), young travellers, and those from nationwide educational establishments who want to partake in Da Nang-hosted tourism programmes.

Da Nang is expected to welcome about 3.4 to 4.6 million domestic tourists this year.

As for the international tourist market, depending on the coronavirus situations in countries around the world, attracting foreign tourists to the city can be prioritised according to the possible introduction of “vaccine passports”, which will allow the resumption of international fights.

These passports are expected to become used globally and boost countries’ confidence in easing movement restrictions, reviving their aviation sector, and bolstering trade and economic development while ensuring safety amid the pandemic.

Besides, target tourists are high-end ones from China, Japan and South Korea, self-sufficient ones from South Korea), those on business trips from Hong Kong, Macau (China). Also, ASEAN tourists who are business trip makers and those seeking days-long journeys will be attracted.

Boosting tourism communications strategies 

The Cau Vang (Golden Bridge) in Da Nang is very inviting to visitors from both home and abroad thanks to its unique architecture

Da Nang has built up specific communications plans for the tourism industry with specific phases and highly practical campaigns.

For the domestic tourist market, in the first quarter, the local tourism industry focused on widely promoting Da Nang’ image full of peace, freshness and vitality to tourists. Encouragingly, free Da Nang tours, tourism stimulus programmes, farmstay trips and wide arrays of highly attractive night-time tourism products and services have together left a deep impression on tourists from near and far.

In the second quarter, importance will be attached to conveying the message ‘Da Nang's Sparkling Summer Slow’. Accordingly, visitors to the beautiful seaside city will immerse themselves in experiencing joyful and colorful tourism events.

Tourists will be treated to a highly enticing beach tourism season, Da Nang Fantasticity Festival 2021, eco-tourism and community-based tourism trips to Sontra Village, Yen Retreat, An Nhien Farm, Hoa Stream site and Ta Lang Village, tourism stimulus programmes, night-time activities on My An beach, and inland waterway tours.

Noticeably, top domestic golfers will participate in the Danang FantastiCity Open 2021 from April 30 to May 2. The event will kick off a series of “Race to Central Coast – The Essences of Viet Nam” golf tournament, which is scheduled to run until the end of August at golf courses located in Da Nang and other central localities, with the companionship of many media sponsors and golf brands. Under the event’s timelines, golfers will compete at the 18-hole Ba Na Hills Golf Club on April 30, and Montgomerie Links on May 1. Besides, on May 2, the participants can choose to play at BRG Danang Golf Clubs, Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An, Hoiana Shores Golf Club, and Laguna Golf Lang Co.

The third quarter will see a variety of good- quality products services offered at very reasonable prices in a bid to clearly demonstrate the message ‘Come to Da Nang for Love’.

In the fourth quarter, focus will be placed on promoting the message ‘Da Nang – an attractive destination of M.I.C.E tourism’ with the desire to introduce visitors to the professionalism and diversity of M.I.C.E tourism products.

Fully aware of the fact that young travellers like MVs with vibrant, fresh images, whereas middle-aged and senior ones have the tendency of gentle sounds and peaceful settings, Da Nang will continue releasing more short clips showcasing its attractive tourism images.

The production of short MVs and clips to convey positive messages and images about Da Nang’s tourist destination is a good tourism promotion approach as they easily go on viral on social networking sites, thus widely spreading in the community. Once these products leave a good impression, it is easy for tourists to choose Da Nang as a destination for their trips.

In the rest of 2021, the center plans to make about many video clips highlighting Da Nang tourism, many of which publicise night-time tourism activities, the overview of tourist attractions, M.I.C.E and golf tourism.

With regard to a scenario under which the Covid-19 pandemic may still complicatedly rage all over the world, Da Nang will stay stronger in securing its position as a safe destination by strictly and rigorously practicing the compulsory measures against the pandemic.

Reporting by THU HA – Translating by A.T