Da Nang Center for Tourism Promotion
AO: What are the core industry trends dictating your investments and initiatives at present?
NHTA: The environment is considered an important factor determining the quality and attractiveness of tourism products, and in turn the destination’s overall competitiveness and tourism activities.
The foundation and development of tourism as an economic industry relates to the ability to use natural resources and their surroundings in order to develop tourism products. Natural resources such as mountains, rivers, beaches, and cultural resources including heritage, architecture and artworks enable this.
In other words, tourism activities and the environment support and influence each other. To some extent, tourism activities can create a new environment or improve environmental conditions such as the building of parks or cultural villages. However, improper exploitation and poorly-planned development can be the cause of deterioration in the conditions and quality of the environment, hence the decrease in effectiveness of tourism activities.
With Da Nang tourism identified as the spearhead industry, the authority realises the importance of balancing tourism development and environmental protection. Developing tourism in a responsible, harmonious and sustainable way economically, socially and environmentally is the right direction on all fronts.
AO: How has Da Nang developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?
NHTA: Asides our strategic location, Da Nang has been identified a potential destination for business travels thanks to the following factors…
International recognition and awards, as well as international events: In 2016, Da Nang was honoured as Asia’s Leading Event and Festival Destination 2016 by World Travel Awards, placed in the Top 10 leisure destinations in Asia by Smart Travel Asia, and the Top 10 most beautiful destination in Vietnam by Rough Guides. Da Nang also leads in destination competitiveness, as ranked by Vietnam Division of Commerce and Industry in 2017. The Marble Mountains beach was named in the top 25 most beautiful beaches in Asia by Trip Advisor. The APEC Leader’s Week in Da Nang was one of the most important international events capturing the attention of millions around the world.
We also have modern infrastructure such as an international airport and luxurious hotels with facilities for international conferences that are located in two main areas of the city – the centre and along the coast. The two convenient locations enable accessibility to attractions, shopping centres, entertainment and particularly MICE facilities. Da Nang Exhibition and Fair Center and Tien Son Sports Center are two major projects that are fullyequipped with modern facilities to host international conferences, exhibitions, fairs, national and international cultural and sports events.
AO: What is in store for Da Nang over the course of 2018 and beyond in terms of tourism/business travel?
NHTA: Local authorities have developed a five‐year strategy with focus on: prioritising tourism more professionally; diversifying international tourist markets; developing high-quality tourism products and night-time entertainment; improving human resource training; and protecting the tourism environment.
In the near future, Da Nang will continue to promote MICE tourism development, encouraging the participation of other departments and local authorities to organise roadshows in different provinces around the country, and other cities abroad via our overseas representative offices in target markets.
Furthermore, Da Nang Center for Tourism Promotion will cooperate with international airlines to develop new direct flights to Da Nang, emphasise cooperation of the three provinces (Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam), and collaborate with tour operators to promote MICE packages to Da Nang.