The Routes Asia 2022 was successfully held in Da Nang recently, opening up opportunities and expectations for Da Nang's tourism and aviation industry in the future. From meetings and exchanges among businesses and partners at this outstanding event, Da Nang’s prestige has been leveraged significantly.

Aviation is the closest way to bring international tourists to Da Nang. Tourists are seen checking in at the Da Nang International Airport. Photo: THU HA

Positive effects

This was not the first time that Da Nang had successfully organised such an international event, but it is significant because it took place during the period of economic, social and tourism recovery after two years struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Steven Small, Brand Director of Informa Routes hailed

Routes Asia 2022 is a "catalyst" for Da Nang to beef up tourism development. Thanks to this event, Da Nang has the advantage to increase air connectivity faster than other localities.

Da Nang needs to take advantage of the great success of the Routes Asia 2022 to partner with airlines to promote the opening of new direct flights connecting Da Nang with other parts of the world because direct air services are the most convenient way for tourists to reach the destination.

At Routes Asia 2022, leading experts in the fields of investment, aviation and tourism participated in exchanges and discussions about the city’s orientations towards the international tourist market, support policies for airlines when opening flights to Da Nang, the expansion of cooperative ties with partners, the network of international flights to/from Da Nang, long-term plans to develop the international flight network and creating a foundation for the region's tourism, investment and logistics industries to grow strongly.

In particular, face-to-face and online meetings with international airlines and airports such as AirAsia Group, Qantas Airways Limited, CAPA - Centre for Aviation and Eva Air and orientations to boost the development of a network of routes connecting Da Nang with Singapore, South Korea and India have jointly helped the Da Nang tourism boost its growth after 2022.

The Da Nang tourism industry now has many advantages such as the service capacity of the Da Nang International Airport, visa-free and preferential policies on ticket prices, stimulus packages satisfy the tastes of international visitors, innovation in product systems and service quality.

According to Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Phuoc Son, Head of the Organising Committee of the Routes Asia 2022 said that the city has focused on exploiting the domestic tourist markets in tandem with building orientations to restore and diversify international ones, especially traditional and potential markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Routes Asia 2022 is the city's first big step to approach towards the international market to attract event more investment into aviation and tourism in the time ahead.

Following the success of the Routes Asia 2022, the city is slated to host the Da Nang Golf Tourism Festival 2022 in September, with a focus on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) 2022 - the official regional sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia.

Events have proven that Da Nang brand is a national and international-class place, fully converging its capacity to become a popular destination in the region and the world at large.

After the success of the Routes Asia 2022 event, the opening of many new routes are being taken into account. Businessmen join discussions on cooperation opportunities at Routes Asia 2022. Photo: THU HA

Create lever for tourism to grow

As reported by the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre, domestic air transportation activities have reached nearly the same level as before the COVID-19 pandemic. On average, there are more than 100 one-way flights every day connecting Da Nang with  Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phu Quoc and Buon Ma Thuot.

For the international market, airlines have resumed air services linking Da Nang with Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul and Daegu (South Korea).

Following Routes Asia 2022, Da Nang is predicted to be in the "sights" of a number of international airlines such as Indigo, Lion Air, Malindo Air, Air Asia, Thai Air Asia X, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air.

Under the plans, in July 2022, HK Express will reopen the Hong Kong - Da Nang route. In a similar vein, in September 2022, Bangkok Airways will resume the Bangkok - Da Nang route. Similarly, in October 2022, Thai Vietjet Air will increase the frequency of flights from Bangkok to Da Nang.

Many experts expect a "leap" of the aviation sector in 2024, along with tourism growth like 2019. It can be seen that not only does Routes Asia 2022 increase the value of the Da Nang image but it also serves as a catalyst to boost the restoration and development of international routes to Da Nang.

At the same time, this event also brings unique values to Da Nang as it show the city’s capacity and willingness to host international events. Da Nang is the destination where investors, airlines, international airports in the Asia-Pacific region, and in the world as a whole, develop business strategies in the city in the future.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by A.THU