How to create " tourism gold mines"

Singapore - an island nation that does not possess many natural resources, has made up for that lack with a high-class tourism infrastructure system. Over the years, Singapore has always maintained its position as a leading destination in Asia with resorts, high-class service complexes, and world-class shows that attract millions of visitors each year.

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Singapore continuously invests to attract high-spending tourists.

Currently, Singapore is continuing to invest heavily in infrastructure, expanding tourist areas and large-scale resorts such as building the 4th hotel tower of the famous Marina Bay Sands.

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Macao is gradually becoming a " world tourism and entertainment center" thanks to its "open" mindset and strong investment.

Also a "master" in tourism, Thailand constantly improves experiences and diversifies products from cuisine , spirituality to ecology, 24-hour entertainment... Coming to Thailand, tourists are not only fascinated by the 5-star resorts in Phuket, but also enjoy and spend money in shopping complexes combined with entertainment, luxury restaurants such as Icon Siam, Asiatique, Siam Paragon...

It can be seen that the general formula in "transforming" tourism gold mines - even when not owning natural resource gold mines - is systematic investment in infrastructure and service products.

Da Nang and the ambition to reach the continent

In Vietnam, the coastal city of Da Nang is increasingly reaching out on the international tourism map. Not only relying on nature, and despite having world-class products such as InterContinental Danang, Sun World Ba Na Hills, Golden Bridge, International Fireworks Festival... Da Nang is still witnessing an impressive product renewal in the summer of 2024.

That is “changing the new look” for Asia Park by launching Da Nang Downtown with the highlight of jetski & flyboard show combined with nightly fireworks “Symphony of River” at Da Nang Downtown; launching a series of new shows at Ba Na Hills… Ba Na Hills also increased the total investment to 39,000 billion VND, with the goal of making this tourist area a top-class destination in the continent.

On the occasion of the September 2nd holiday, Da Nang welcomed nearly 308,000 visitors, an increase of 21.2% over the same period last year. Total tourism revenue reached more than 1,200 billion VND, an increase of 33.8% over the same period. Particularly at Ba Na Hills, the number of visitors during the 4-day holiday is estimated to increase by 16% over the same period in 2023, Da Nang Downtown welcomed a particularly impressive increase in visitors: 268% over the same period.

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Da Nang needs to boldly invest more and expand large-scale, high-class projects to serve tourism.

Mr. Cao Tri Dung - Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association said that Da Nang needs to have a large-scale, high-class tourist area to create a driving force for Da Nang tourism. Citing Ba Na Hills as a typical example, Mr. Dung analyzed: “When building a large-scale tourist area, it is necessary to aim for sustainable development based on the spirit of 3 pillars. First, economic sustainability, attracting more visitors, creating more jobs, increasing revenue for the budget. Second, sustainability in cultural values, consistent with the unique characteristics of the Ba Na destination. Third, harmony with the environment. And Ba Na has done these things very well. We believe that Sun World Ba Na Hills will develop to its full potential, achieve a worthy position and contribute more to the socio-economic development and tourism of Da Nang”.

However, the expert commented that to reach new heights in global competition, Da Nang needs to boldly invest more, expand large-scale, high-class projects... And more importantly, there must be a policy mechanism to attract strategic investors, "leading cranes" committed to long-term companionship.

Sharing the same view, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Trung Luong - former Deputy Director of the Institute of Tourism Research, commented that Da Nang is a destination with many advantages to move quickly and steadily on the tourism track, especially when a series of special policies have been approved, piloting the construction of the first free trade zone in Vietnam.

Associate Professor Dr. Pham Trung Luong said that “this is an opportunity to develop new tourism products and types that have not yet been opened in the thinking and approach of Vietnamese people”. According to experts, Da Nang needs to continue to improve and renew its products and services. If it stops and “rests on its laurels”, any destination will be left behind on the race track.

Ngoc Minh