Diversify tourist markets

Quang Ninh tourism industry has developed plans to develop the tourist market, focusing on promoting and introducing strong tourism products that suit the tastes of diverse customer groups.

The tourism industry aims to restructure the tourism market to ensure sustainable growth in international tourists to Quang Ninh; effectively exploit tourism resources, in line with market trends and needs; diversify the market, reduce dependence on certain markets, and limit risks from regional and global events. At the same time, ensure stable growth in domestic tourists, and distribute them evenly across regions.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has gained a lot of experience in diversifying customer markets, always proactively searching, building and developing potential customer markets.

For the domestic market, the tourism industry continues to implement programs to promote and advertise Quang Ninh tourism in domestic localities that can connect with Van Don Airport, such as: Can Tho City, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City, Dien Bien Province, Binh Dinh Province...

In particular, Quang Ninh province identifies the market of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the southern provinces in general as one of the key areas to attract visitors. Specifically, organizing tourism promotion delegations, expanding links between the two localities and neighboring localities, building and offering tourism products; sharing experiences in master planning for tourism development. At the same time, creating opportunities for tourism businesses of localities to link up and cooperate for development...

Along with identifying and accelerating the expansion of the domestic tourist market, the tourism industry also focuses on the needs of target groups to build strategies and develop appropriate tourism products.

Currently, tourists' needs have changed, becoming more specialized, such as learning about culture, playing golf, relaxing, exploring nature... Therefore, Quang Ninh's tourism development strategy also focuses on market fluctuations and visitors' needs to proactively change to suit the market.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ha Hai, Director of Hongai Tours Quang Ninh, the province has done a very good job of adapting and building tourism products based on the needs of many types of tourists in recent years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Not only the government but also businesses have changed their thinking and actions to invest more carefully and systematically, such as developing the night-time economy, developing sea tourism, agricultural tourism associated with new rural areas... Many products are welcomed by tourists and gradually affirm the unique brand of Quang Ninh tourism such as restaurant boats visiting Ha Long Bay, listening to music on the bay, golf tourism, high-quality resorts, hot mineral baths...

Along with developing the domestic market, the tourism industry determines to develop international tourist markets, focusing on Northeast Asia, followed by ASEAN, Western Europe, North America, the Middle East and India.

According to Ms. Nguyen Huyen Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, the tourism industry continues to promote market research, develop plans, tourism marketing strategies and policies to support tourism promotion; invest adequately in e-marketing activities; strengthen traditional marketing activities. At the same time, deploy campaigns, events, and tourism promotion programs. In particular, linking in tourism promotion and advertising to create resources and combined strength for promotion activities, advertising and developing international markets.

In addition, the province participates in tourism fairs to expand the market, such as: VITM Hanoi International Tourism Fair 2024; Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival; Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair - ITE HCMC; participate in Vietnam International Tourism Fair VITM Da Nang or Can Tho; Vietnam - China International Tourism Trade Fair...

For some potential markets such as ASEAN and East Asia, the province proactively coordinates with central ministries, branches, localities, especially provinces in the Northeast Asia tourism alliance to build a "heritage flight route" between 3 localities: Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Luang Prabang (Laos) and Angkor Wat (Cambodia), creating maximum conditions for tourists' entry and exit.

The tourism industry also aims to promote links and cooperation with Guangxi, Yunnan provinces and major Chinese provinces and cities such as Shanghai, Guangdong, Chongqing, Beijing, and Tianjin. During the 3-day New Year holiday alone (December 30, 2023 - January 1, 2024), about 18,000 Chinese tourists entered Vietnam through Mong Cai International Border Gate, mainly from border localities such as Guangxi and Sichuan.

According to experts, by improving air accessibility and connectivity via Van Don International Airport, Quang Ninh can enhance brand awareness through expanding its international flight network. From there, it will facilitate the development of tourism products combining local tourism resources to create new leaps.

In addition, environmentally friendly management, social responsibility and transparent governance are global issues, which are key factors for a successful tourism development strategy. Through environmentally friendly and responsible tourism policies, Quang Ninh becomes a world-class sustainable destination. Moreover, smart tourism services supported by digitalization will attract more individual and independent travelers to Vietnam.