On Thursday, October 28, the Da Nang Department of Tourism unveiled its plan to restore its tourism and service activities in the new normal as the city rushes to reboot its tourism industry after a long hiatus triggered by the pandemic.

Da Nang plans to welcome tourists back in the safe conditions. IN THE PHOTO: Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son (2nd, right) and representatives from the municipal Tourism Department, attending a ceremony to launch the "A Virtual Vacation in Da Nang" VR360 application on October 28. Photo: THU HA

Active support for tourism businesses

In his remarks at the launching of the plan, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son highly praised city-based tourism businesses for their tremendous efforts and great contributions to the local tourism sector which has been hit hard by the recent waves of COVID-19.

Vice Chairman Son noted that, in the coming time, the city will focus on ensuring pandemic prevention and control in parallel with restoring traveller confidence in order to drive the city’s post-pandemic tourism recovery in the new normal with safe and flexible adaptation to COVID-19.

“Top priority will be given to tackling difficulties and obstacles arising during the implementation of the tourism restoration plan developed by the municipal Department of Tourism, as well as expediting COVID-19 vaccination coverage among hospitality staff. Also, a series of promotional programmes to lure more visitors to the city at the end of the year and welcome back international tourists from November 2021 will be launched” added Mr Son.

Vice Chairman Son urged the municipal Department of Tourism to regularly work with the municipal Tourism Association to carry out the city’s tourism recovery plan, as well as  prepare plans to welcome the return of both domestic and international visitors.

He required tourism units in the city to develop their own pandemic prevention and control plans in the new situation, be equipped with more QR code scanners, as well as recruit personnel in preparation for the return of visitors.

In addition, tourism agencies were asked to actively connect with domestic and foreign partners to fully tap sources of visitors, and develop new unique products and services, in order to increase tourist numbers.

According to Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Truong Thi Hong Hanh, the city's tourism industry is now ready to welcome tourists back in the new normal.

Specifically, the city has developed a plan to restore tourism activities in the new normal with the motto of " Safe and flexible adaptation to COVID-19 while ensuring the safety of tourists, hospitality staff, and the community”.

The plan will focus on eight key tasks which will be carried out into two phases of the fourth quarter of 2021, and the 2022-2025 period, including a three-phase approach to welcome back domestic visitors, and two-phase approach to tempt domestic tourists back.

Also, new and unique tourism products with a focus on maritime tourism services and high-end resorts will be developed, whilst digital transformation in tourism will be boosted.

Moreover, the marketing campaigns with main messages of "Da Nang Now Open" and “ Enjoy Da Nang” will be conducted in the city soon in order to attract more visitors to the city.

Visitors can experience the "A Virtual Vacation in Da Nang" VR360 Virtual Reality travel app to discover the beauty of Da Nang. IN THE PHOTO: A customer is experiencing a virtual tour to the Linh Ung Pagoda on the Son Tra Peninsula. Photo: THU HA

"A Virtual Vacation in Da Nang"

As part of the city’s tourism reboot plan, the "A Virtual Vacation in Da Nang" platform at http://vr360.danangfantasticity.com/ was launched at the programme.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, said that the Centre-developed virtual tourism system was created based on technologies of  3D Scan and VR360. With this application, users can experience a virtual tour to discover many famous attractions in Da Nang such as Son Tra Peninsula, beaches of My Khe , Pham Van Dong and Nguyen Tat Thanh, and others.

“This platform features an eye-catching and realistic image layout; detailed, clear and accessible content; and lively and attractive voiceover function. In addition, users can chat directly with the Visitor Support Center, as well as interact and connect with users through the features of taking pictures and hunting for lucky gifts” said Hoai An.

The completely new product promises to bring unlimited experience for visitors, thereby significantly contributing to building Da Nang into a modern, stylish, smart and trending destination in the coming time.

Also at the programme, 1,000 cable car tickets at its Ba Na Hill Resort, and 6,000 tickets at the Nui Than Tai Hot Spring Park, totalling VND3.3 billion, were presented to frontline medical workers in Da Nang.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG