The COVID-19 pandemic has brought two years fraught with unpredictability and change to Da Nang tourism, including accommodation services. As a result, hotel industry must adapt and embrace changes in the new normal amid COVID-19 to revive. The focus is being on preparing staff for the new normal, accelerating digital transformation, and improving hotel guest satisfaction.

In the coming time, the Da Nang Hotel Association will organise refresher courses for employees. IN THE PHOTO: Representatives of Da Nang’s hotels exploring displayed products at Decoration & Equipment Exhibition for Hotels during the Third Congress of Da Nang Hotel Association in mid-December, 2021. Photo: THU HA

Many serviced accommodation establishments in Da Nang have been forced to temporarily close their doors or operated moderately due to COVID-19.

Data published by the Da Nang Hotel Association shows that Da Nang is now home to 1,272 accommodation establishments with a combined total of 44,810 rooms, of which, 216 are between 3 and 5 star ratings with 26,822 rooms in total, accounting for about 60% of the city’s total hotel rooms.

Till date, close to 250 accommodation establishments in Da Nang have reopened, of which, about 40 are between 4 and 5 star ratings. 125 of these establishments are under the management of the municipal Department of Tourism while the remainder are under the management of authorities at district level.

Mr Nguyen Duc Quynh, the Chairman of the Da Nang Hotel Association said that the association has created a long-term strategy for preparing staff for the new normal during the COVID-19 crisis with a focus on organizing training courses in an attempt to improve professional skills for hotel employees, especially those holding key positions.

The heed will be paid on working with universities, junior colleges, vocational schools along with hospitality experts and consultants to provide necessary courses for hotel employees in efforts to help them thrive in the new normal. Special attention will be given to creating short-term and long-term marketing strategies for Da Nang’s hotels, and selecting target markets to reach new potential travellers.  

In addition, Da Nang will promote the use of technology in accommodation services. These establishments will adapt to consumer preferences with no-touch tech and contactless technologies.

Mr Tan Van Vuong , the Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Tourism asked for better coordination between the Da Nang Hotel Association and his agency to help the tourism recover quickly from the crisis with the adoption of sustainable development goal. Specifically, it draws on the need to develop responsible tourism products in order to sustain the tourism destination development while satisfying the experiential needs and changing tastes of tourists.

Reporting by THU HA – Translating by H.L