A seminar was held on Thursday to promote Japanese tourism in Da Nang as part of the ongoing Viet Nam - Japan Festival 2024 in the city from July 4 - 7.

The seminar is an opportunity for Da Nang and Japanese businesses to meet, connect, and cooperate in tourism development. Photo: THU HA

Organised by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), the seminar was attended by many tourism businesses in Da Nang and Japan.

According to Mr. Yoshida Kenji, Head of JNTO representative office in Viet Nam, The year 2023 marked the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam - Japan diplomatic ties.

The number of Vietnamese visitors to Japan in 2023 reached a new record of 573,000, an increase of 115% compared to 2019 before COVID-19.

In just the first 5 months of 2024, about 284,300 Vietnamese people travelled to Japan, the highest ever, up 108.5% over the same period in 2023.

In 2024, to realise its goal of increasing the number of Vietnamese tourists to Japan, JNTO has launched a new logo image and message with the themes "Introducing the beauty of Japanese localities" and "Providing high-end tourism services only in Japan".

“JNTO's main mission is to promote Japanese tourism in Viet Nam, but we also understand that "tourism" is the exchange of people from both sides. From that standpoint, we hope that more Japanese tourists will return to Viet Nam, including Da Nang. We want to advertise the appeal of Da Nang to Japanese tourists" Mr. Yoshida Kenji said.

Representatives of tourism and travel businesses participated in the seminar. Photo: THU HA.

Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Hoai An shared that Japan is a traditional and stable source of tourists for Viet Nam in general, and Da Nang in particular.

Thanks to the resumption of the Da Nang - Narita direct flight operated by Vietnam Airlines in 2023, Japanese visitor arrivals to Da Nang numbered about 121,000, representing 65% of 2019 with 186,000.

Between January and May, Da Nang welcomed more than 65,000 Japanese visitors.

Although the Japanese tourist market has not really been recovered due to global economic difficulties, Da Nang always focuses on maintaining the sustainability of the Japanese market and bringing new products, services and experiences for Japanese tourists.

In particular, in 2024, Da Nang brings visitors a series of unique events and festivals such as the Brazil - Viet Nam Football Festival, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, the Da Nang Enjoy Festival, and the BRG Open golf Championship, along with unique tourist products such as Bach Dang Walking Street, night-time tourism services on Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, the Da Nang Downtown, and a train route connecting Da Nang and Hue City, named “Central Heritage Connection”.

Mrs. Hoai An propose the Japanese consulate in Da Nang and the Japan Tourism Promotion Agency appeal for Japanese partners to participate in the city’s product and service chain to diversify and professionalise tourism products and services of Da Nang as well as promote Japanese culture.

The seminar provided a good opportunity for Da Nang businesses to update new and appropriate information, destinations, and products to proactively deploy tourism plans and programmes connecting the two countries.

The issuance of more favourable immigration policies between the two countries will contribute to promoting the exchange of visitors between Da Nang (Vietnam) and Japan, towards rapid and sustainable development.

Reporting by THU HA - Translating by M.DUNG