Boosting online tourism communication.

Việt Nam•13/12/2023

Tourism promotion and marketing activities are a crucial factor contributing to the development of Binh Thuan province's tourism industry. The role of promotion and marketing in tourism development is significant, aiming to introduce and provide information to tourist markets, attracting an increasing number of visitors to Binh Thuan...

This year, the Provincial Tourism Information and Promotion Center (the center) has intensified its tourism communication, promotion, and marketing activities, with a particular focus on online tourism communication.

Tourists enjoy themselves and relax on Mui Ne beach. Photo: N. Lan

Based on major tourism events throughout the year, the center has developed a plan to promote and market Binh Thuan's tourism products. It has intensified information and communication efforts regarding Binh Thuan tourism through central and local media, linking it with the introduction of the 2023 National Tourism Year "Binh Thuan - Green Convergence"; building the image of Binh Thuan tourism through publications, films, videos , and images, with a particular focus on online tourism communication… Through these efforts, the center aims to enhance the image of Binh Thuan as a tourist destination in both domestic and international markets, contributing to attracting more and more tourists to Binh Thuan.

Tourism promotion and marketing activities in 2023 were carried out continuously, including Binh Thuan's participation in the Travex 2023 Fair in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Through the Travex 2023 Fair, Binh Thuan introduced and promoted its image as a destination, showcasing events and activities of the 2023 National Tourism Year – “Binh Thuan – Green Convergence” – to tourists in Indonesia and ASEAN in particular, and the Asian market in general. Simultaneously, it strengthened cooperation opportunities, expanded exploration and market research, and created conditions for tourism businesses to promote their brands, images, and tourism products to international tourists, contributing to the recovery and diversification of the international tourist market to Binh Thuan in the future.

At the 19th Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival in 2023, the Binh Thuan tourism booth featured vibrant artistic performances by the Bien Xanh Music and Dance Theatre; a lively "Lucky Bubble" minigame show; and a QR code survey about Binh Thuan tourism with souvenir gifts. Notably, the "Delicious Dishes of Binh Thuan" culinary program, featuring live demonstrations by professional chefs from the Binh Thuan Professional Chefs Association, offered visitors the chance to sample two signature dishes: "Lau Tha" (Hot Pot) and "Goi Cuon Ca Hich" (Herring Spring Rolls), creating a unique impression of Binh Thuan. Similarly, at the Vietnam-France Local Cooperation Conference in Hanoi, the "Binh Thuan Tourism" exhibition, linked to the 2023 National Tourism Year event "Binh Thuan - Green Convergence," showcased the image of Binh Thuan tourism to residents and tourists from Hanoi and other provinces and cities attending the conference.

The pristine beauty of Ke Ga Cape. Photo: N. Lan

Throughout the year, the center collaborated with central and provincial media agencies and travel companies to promote and advertise destinations, surveying green tourism attractions and new, attractive tourism services in Ham Thuan Bac, Tanh Linh, Ham Thuan Nam, and Tien Thanh (Phan Thiet), specifically: the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee's base during the anti-American resistance war - Sa Lon, Thac Ba Eco-tourism Area, Sonata Resort & Spa Phan Thiet, Hola Beach (Thanh Long Bay), Binh An Farm, La Ngau Rock Stream Homestay & Camp, La Ngau Flower Garden... This created many new tour products to serve tourists, generating a large-scale impact and attracting visitors to Binh Thuan. Simultaneously, it coordinated with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to provide information and images of Binh Thuan tourism to the Traveloka tourism application to design publications for local tourism promotion and advertising.

On the other hand, ongoing activities include: displaying and introducing Binh Thuan's tourism products within the framework of the Street Culture Week, in the Nguyen Tat Thanh area, Phan Thiet City, which attracted a large number of local people and tourists to visit and learn about Binh Thuan's tourism products; participating in the 4th Central Ethnic Culture Festival in Binh Dinh in 2023, aiming to contribute to honoring, introducing, and promoting the beautiful traditional cultural values of the ethnic groups living in Binh Thuan province to people nationwide and international friends. Specifically, the center sent one staff member to participate in explaining and introducing Mui Ne Fishing Village - a famous tourist destination in Binh Thuan - and won a B prize; participating in activities within the framework of the Thanh Tuyen Festival in Tuyen Quang in 2023 according to the cooperation program in the fields of culture, sports and tourism between Binh Thuan and Tuyen Quang provinces. At the Tuyen Quang Trade and Tourism Fair 2023, there was a display space showcasing local specialties and OCOP products from Binh Thuan such as: Lang Chai Xua fish sauce, Ba Hai fish sauce, etc.

Reviewing the events mentioned above, it can be assessed that the promotion and marketing of Binh Thuan tourism this year has been quite good. However, according to the leaders of the Binh Thuan Tourism Information and Promotion Center, the effectiveness of online tourism promotion activities has not been fully utilized. Coordination of information and communication on social media, the Ministry's website, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, and local authorities has been insufficient and inconsistent. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of promoting and introducing tourist destinations on the Binh Thuan tourism website, the center's social media pages, and the province's smart tourism information portal; further strengthen promotion on social media and online tourism marketing strategies; develop online tourism promotion products such as video clips, films, image slides, and infographics about Binh Thuan tourism; and create promotional publications such as brochures, leaflets, photo albums, and organize communication events and press conferences... These are the goals for more effective promotion and marketing in the future.

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