In 2024, the Da Nang tourism industry will reach the finish line early when in 10 months, the total number of visitors served by accommodation establishments was estimated to reach nearly 9.3 million, up by 31.7% from the same period in 2023 (initially targeted 8.4 million visitors). In a recent interview with the Da Nang Newspaper, Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Truong Thi Hong Hanh said that this is a very positive result thanks to great efforts exerted by the city’s tourism industry, associations and business community over the past time.

Kite flying event on the Da Nang beach in 2024 serves locals and tourists. Photo: NHAT HA

* Can you tell us what specific actions and implementations the city's tourism industry has taken to achieve the above-mentioned results?

- In the past time, the Da Nang top leaders have given strong, close, and practical direction and timely support to effectively implement solutions for tourism development as well as remove difficulties and obstacles in local tourism activities. At the same time, there have been the active and joint efforts made by departments, units, localities, tourism associations and tourism service businesses across the city.

Since the end of 2023, the Da Nang Department of Tourism has advised the municipal People's Committee to issue the implementation of the Da Nang Master Plan in 2024, and at the same time, concretise the orientations and strategies for tourism development with key plans; implement plans on communication and promotion, promote international flights and expand markets; focus on prioritising resources to promote both domestic market and key international markets. In particular, the attraction of high-spending tourist markets associated with MICE, golf, wedding, beach and indigenous cultural experience tourism has also been promoted.

The city’s authorities and businesses were interested in investing in developing 11 types of unique tourism products to serve customers. In addition, the tourism environment, security, food safety, beach rescue and the harassment of customers were also guaranteed.

* How will reaching the target set for the year early affect the city’s overall socio-economic development? According to you, what are the outstanding marks of Da Nang tourism in 2024?

- The city’s tourism activities in the past 10 months have been very prosperous and are a bright spot in the city’s economic development. Da Nang continued affirming its stature as an attractive, safe, green - clean - beautiful, friendly and hospitable destination.

Since the start of 2024, the city has organised many national and international activities, events and festivals such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, the Summer Enjoyment Festival, the Asian Development Golf Tournament, the Da Nang Asian Film Festival and the Southeast Asian Student Sports Festival; launched new and unique tourism products and services such as Bach Dang Walking Street, Da Nang Downtown Complex with attractive shows, the restoration of the Hai Van Gate relic site, the opening of the Hue - Da Nang tourist train and the Da Nang food tour campaign.

The work of promoting and advertising destinations has also achieved many outstanding results with the programme to attract MICE and wedding tourists, the tourism stimulus programme with the theme ‘Enjoy Da Nang’, the programme to attract South Korean tourists to Da Nang again, the restoration and opening of 22 new flight routes to Da Nang; the promotion of music tourism through celebrity live shows.
In particular, the event of billionaire Bill Gates and legendary tennis player Roger Federer visiting Da Nang has brought brand value, enhanced the position of Da Nang destination, increased media effects, and spread the image of Da Nang tourism.

Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism Truong Thi Hong Hanh

* From the achieved results, what goals and development orientations will the tourism industry set for 2025 with what innovations and differences so that the city can truly be an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists?

- In 2025, the city will focus on removing difficulties and obstacles to implement three breakthroughs to promote the development of tourism, including: breakthroughs in tourism products, including adding new products, services and shows at the Da Nang Downtown, the Sun World Ba Na Hills Tourist Area, opening the Da Nang Museum at a new location...; organise major events and festivals such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, Da Nang Asian Film Festival, Da Nang Food Tour Festival, Enjoy Da Nang Festival, Christmas and New Year Festival, Opening of the 2025 Beach Tourism Season, Da Nang Tourism Festival; Organising tea tours on Ban Co (Chessboard) Peak on the Son Tra Peninsula.
In addition, measures will be taken to develop waterway tourism (exploiting the waterway route of Han River Port - Quan The Am Pagoda; Da Nang - Cu Lao Cham (the Cham Islands), developing water entertainment activities; start the project to invest in landscape renovation, create some highlights in the sidewalk area and sandbanks of Hoang Sa - Vo Nguyen Giap - Truong Sa and Nguyen Tat Thanh coastal routes.

In the breakthrough stage of promoting flight routes and stimulating tourism demand, the tourism industry will keep eyes on growing the domestic tourist market; maintaining growth in the South Korean and Taiwanese (China) tourist markets; exploiting the Chinese, Australian, American, Middle Eastern, Uzbekistani, Indian, and Southeast Asian markets; attracting the segment of tourists for relaxation, experiencing local culture, MICE, golf, and wedding tourism in Da Nang. Besides promoting Qatar, Australia, Osaka (Japan), new routes linking Da Nang and Indian localities will be opened. Along with that, stimulus programmes to attract visitors’ travel demands will be organised.

In addition, the local tourism industry will also pay heed to making more breakthroughs in service and human resources quality through the development, announcement and application of a set of high-quality criteria for tourism service activities in the city. More support will be given to businesses in organising seminars, vocational training, experience sharing, handling customer service situations and customer care affairs.

With the focus on implementing the above-mentioned key tasks, in 2025, Da Nang tourism aims to welcome nearly 10.9 million visitors served by accommodation establishments citywide, an increase of nearly 6% compared to 2024, equal to 135% compared with 2019. The city is projected to receive about 4.66 million international visitors, marking an increase of 11% from 2024, equal to 143% compared to 2019. Domestic visitors are estimated at more than 6.22 million, up 2% compared to 2024, equal to 130% compared to 2019. Revenue from accommodation, food and beverage, and travel is predicted reached more than VND 36,000 billion, up 10% compared to 2024, equal to 157% compared to 2019.

Reporting by NHAT HA - Translating by A. THU