Da Nang is one of the most favourite destinations for Chinese travellers. Therefore, many travel businesses, restaurants, accommodation establishments and service providers citywide have been rolling up their sleeves and floating plans to serve Chinese tourists.

Da Nang-based travel agencies are adding products to serve tourists. IN THE PHOTO: Asian tourists are seen walking on Bach Dang Street. Photo: NHAT HA

Preparing all resources

The Chinese government had added Viet Nam to the northern neighbor’s pilot programme for resuming outbound group tours starting from March 15.

As observed by our reporters, although no Chinese tour groups have come to Da Nang since March 15, tourism firms and business establishments in the city have been ready to welcome Chinese tourists back.

Among them is the An Spa, located on September 2, Hai Chau District, which is one of the healthcare facilities specialising in receiving and serving large groups of guests from South Korea and China.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, the owner of the An Spa, expressed his delight at the information about the return of Chinese tourists from March 15 because this was his facility’s potential customer market.

He revealed that his facility has rushed to train staff and upgrade the quality of services in a bid to serve Chinese tourists.

“In the short term, we have connected with our partners to promote and introduce our services, and at the same time rearranged infrastructure and subdivisions to catch up with the Chinese tourist market. Additionally, we have organised training courses for our staff to improve Chinese language and communication skills" Mr. Tam shared.

Having much experience in receiving lots of groups of Chinese travellers, the Nhu Minh Hotel positioned on Pham Van Dong Street in Son Tra District has quickly developed attractive products, and contacted partners specialising in exploiting Chinese tourist market to connect and introduce its products to customers.

Ms. Le Pham Nhu Minh, CEO of the Nhu Minh Hotel, said it is expected that in late March, her hotel will receive the first group of Chinese guests. “In addition to welcoming guests from other foreign tourist markets, we also spend time training our staff to welcome those from China" she added.

All service providers in the city are prepared to welcome tourists to Da Nang. IN PHOTO: Visitors to the An Spa. Photo: T.H

Adding tourism products tailored to suit the taste of Chinese tourists

According to travel agencies, Chinese tourists often book 5 or 6-day tours to Viet Nam. Aside from popular tourist spots and entertainment areas, they like to go shopping and enjoy seafood. Grasping this demand, local service providers are also gradually becoming active again.

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Nam, the General Director of the Viet Nam TravelMart JSC, said that although travel agencies in the city have yet to welcome any Chinese delegations, they had a connection to exchange the actual situation as well as information related to their own tourism products.

Chinese guests often have a high demand for food, so travel agencies have reviewed restaurants specialisng in serving Chinese guests on a large scale.

“Currently, partners are receiving products to sell and gather customers, if everything goes well, maybe in 3-5 weeks, the Chinese tourist market to Da Nang will start bustling. The most worrisome thing for travel agencies is that there will be a shortage of means of transportation as there are plenty of Chinese tourist groups" Mr. Nam noted.

Like travel agencies, accommodation and service facilities, and major tourist sites and attractions, in the city are also well prepared for welcoming Chinese tourists back.

Mr. Tran Nguyen, Deputy General Director of the Sun World Group, said that before COVID-19, along with South Korea, China was one of the group’s two major tourist markets.

Sun Group-developed amusement parks, hotels and resorts are also among favorite destinations of Chinese tourists because they like to travel to the sea, mountains and amusement parks with iconic works, especially going shopping and enjoying specialties. The spending level of this group of customers is relatively high.

Especially, Chinese tourists often travel in large groups, so the contribution of such groups to the revenue of the unit is quite large.

In Da Nang, the Sun World Ba Na Hills tourist area is one of the most popular destinations for Chinese travellers. Therefore, in order to welcome this influx of visitors back, Sun Group has focused on upgrading destinations, adding new shows, building iconic works, and increasing venues for food and beverage, and shopping experience.

According to Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association Cao Tri Dung, over the past time, the tourism business community, the municipal government and the local Department of Tourism have regularly exchanged online with Chinese partners about China’s border reopening policy, and travel trends and psychology of Chinese tourists.

Currently, Da Nang has prepared the best resources to serve and welcome back Chinese tourists.

Although there have been some signals of delegations from China to Da Nang, there are no direct flights between China and Da Nang in March.

Some Chinese partners have registered to open some charter and regular flights to Da Nang from late March. It is expected that China - Da Nangdirect flights will be opened in April.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG