Digital transformation for tourism to "take off"

Tourists experience virtual reality (VR) technology to observe tourist attractions

Unlocking potential with modern technology

Tourism is identified as one of the key economic sectors of An Giang. However, to fully exploit its potential, innovation, especially the application of technology, is a key factor. In recent years, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DOCST) has implemented many synchronous solutions to create a modern and convenient tourism ecosystem. Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Khanh Hiep shared: “Technology is a supporting tool and a key factor for An Giang tourism to develop rapidly. Digitizing data and building smart platforms helps the provincial tourism industry manage more effectively, while bringing the best experience to visitors. An Giang is focusing on building a “smart” tourism industry that is more accessible and friendly.”

One of the strategic steps is to digitize tourism data. In 2024, the Provincial People's Committee put into operation the An Giang Smart Tourism Portal at https://checkinangiang.vn and the An Giang checkinangiang Smart Tourism application for Android and iOS operating systems on mobile devices. The An Giang Smart Tourism Portal and application integrate many tourism databases, including: Entertainment, cultural and artistic venues; travel agencies, hotels, restaurants; shopping centers, sports centers; traffic instructions related to flight schedules, bus routes; vehicle rental points; instructions on all administrative procedures. At the same time, there is a section to guide tourists to contact about health , security, safety and has a feature to suggest tour schedules and travel agencies to help tourists choose. On the other hand, the portal and application have the feature of receiving visitors' feedback on tourism activities in An Giang.

Elevating the technology “touch” experience

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Tra (a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City) shared after a visit to Sam Mountain: “Before, every time I traveled, I often had to search for information on many different sources. But when I came to An Giang this time, I was surprised because there was a separate application of the province. Just by opening the application, I could find everything from places to eat, places to visit to information about festivals, very convenient, helping me move easily and have a smooth trip.”

To enhance interactivity and bring unique experiences, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are gradually being exploited in An Giang. Some key destinations have begun to deploy virtual reality models, allowing visitors to "travel" through space and time, learning about the history and culture of relics in a vivid and engaging way. Imagine visitors can "step into" tourist areas and spots, admire the architecture and listen to automatic commentary with just their smartphones. In addition, the deployment of free Wi-Fi systems at major tourist spots is also a remarkable effort. This helps visitors easily access information, connect with the world and encourages them to share images and experiences on social networks, creating a strong word-of-mouth promotion effect.

Reaching international heights with digital power

The application of technology does not only stop at supporting tourists, but also contributes to improving the effectiveness of State management of tourism. The tourist information management software system and accommodation management software help authorities accurately grasp the data and operating status of tourism businesses. From there, statistics and data analysis become easier, serving the work of forecasting and planning tourism development. This data is extremely important to evaluate the effectiveness of promotion programs and adjust strategies accordingly.

In the context of globalization, tourism promotion does not stop at traditional channels, but needs to make the most of the power of digital technology. An Giang is promoting tourism on major social networking platforms, such as: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube. Multimedia communication campaigns with high-quality images, videos, and attractive stories about An Giang culture and people are widely spread, reaching domestic and foreign users.

Cooperating with travel bloggers and KOLs to conduct experiential trips and share on digital platforms is also an effective way. The influence of famous people in the online community helps An Giang reach a large number of potential tourists in a natural and authentic way. Not stopping there, An Giang also aims to participate in international online tourism trading floors (OTA). Being present on platforms such as Booking.com, Agoda, Traveloka... helps international tourists easily search, book rooms and experience tourism in An Giang.

Lee Won (a Korean tourist) who just finished his trip to An Giang, shared: “I learned about An Giang through a video on TikTok. The images of Tra Su cajuput forest, ancient pagodas and hospitable An Giang people urged me to come here. The reality is even more beautiful than what I saw online. The free Wi-Fi in many places also makes it easy for me to share my experiences with my friends in Korea.”

THU THAO

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/chuyen-doi-so-de-du-lich-cat-canh--a421376.html