To increase the attraction of event tourism

2024 is the third consecutive year that Thanh Hoa province has announced a calendar of cultural, sports and tourism events to stimulate demand and attract tourists. The success of the events that have been organized has significantly contributed to the socio -economic development of the locality and gradually formed a new and attractive tourism product - event tourism, on the other hand, creating a highlight for the province's tourism activities.

To increase the attraction of event tourism The space for performing intangible culture at the Le Hoan Temple Festival in 2024 attracted the attention of many people and tourists.

In recent years, Thanh Hoa province has constantly created, innovated and perfected three main product lines, including: sea tourism , spiritual cultural tourism and community eco-tourism. In addition, many new tourism products and services have been developed, put into operation and served tourists such as: Sea square and festival landscape axis of Sam Son city, walking street, night market, street art performances,... (Sam Son city); Nghi Son - Me island tour, thrilling games,... (Nghi Son town); Hai Tien - Ne island tour, paragliding,... (Hoang Hoa); experiential tourism in localities: Thanh Hoa city, Yen Dinh, Quang Xuong, Nhu Thanh...

In particular, in 2023, Thanh Hoa tourism has focused on developing more event tourism products to attract tourists. By focusing on combining cultural, sports and tourism events together, it has contributed to creating a series of attractive tourism activities, giving visitors a complete experience when coming to Thanh. There have been more than 70 events held in 2023 at tourist areas and destinations, many of which are attractive to tourists and are included in tour programs by travel agencies to introduce and sell products.

Mr. Hoang Anh Tho, Director of VNPlus Travel Investment, Trade and Tourism Services Joint Stock Company (Thanh Hoa City), said: “In recent years, our company has continuously improved and innovated the product set “Echoes of Thanh”. Accordingly, in order to bring unique cultural experiences, extend the length of stay and spending capacity of tourists, we have focused on combining sightseeing and resort activities with typical cultural, sports and tourism events. Last March, at the sideline event of the VITM 2024 International Tourism Fair, we introduced and offered the product set “Echoes of Thanh” to partners and tourists. Basically, the tour program received quite good feedback from customers, however, cultural, sports and tourism events need to be promoted more widely, thereby helping travel businesses exploit event tourism products effectively”.

From the perspective of tourism development, some travel agencies believe that Thanh Hoa's event tourism has not really made an impression and attracted the attention of tourists. Notably, many cultural, sports and tourism events have not been widely promoted and publicized; some traditional cultural festivals have not diversified their experiential activities and created interaction with tourists... Therefore, although the events have been successfully organized, they have not created a big buzz and attracted many tourists.

One of the typical examples is the weekly Saturday night art program, with the theme "Weekend rendezvous", taking place at Hoi An Park, Thanh Hoa City. Convenient transportation, the program is invested in a methodical and elaborate manner, with many unique art performances, imbued with the traditional cultural beauty of Thanh Hoa. Along with that, there is also an area of stalls displaying and introducing OCOP products, serving people and tourists to visit, entertain, shop, and enjoy cuisine. However, some programs are still lacking viewers.

From this limitation, many localities in the province have been taking new directions to increase the attraction of each event. Talking to us at the Le Hoan Temple Festival in 2024, Vice Chairman of Tho Xuan District People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Hai said: “Tho Xuan is the homeland of many unique and special festivals and folk performances. Each event is an opportunity to promote those cultural values to the people and tourists. In particular, in order to create attraction for traditional festivals, including the Le Hoan Temple Festival, we have focused on organizing a variety of cultural, artistic and sports exchange activities; at the same time, arranging open spaces, organizing the introduction and performance of intangible cultural heritages such as: bamboo dancing, poon pong dancing, Xuan Pha games, playing cards, etc. attracting the participation of a large number of people and tourists”.

With the expectation of increasing the attraction of event tourism, in 2024, Thanh Hoa tourism industry has been making efforts to renew existing products; at the same time, continuing to maintain and develop event tourism products, with 145 events to be held at tourist areas and spots across the province. In particular, spring is associated with traditional festivals; summer is associated with sea tourism events; autumn - winter is associated with national and international sports tournaments, traditional festivals associated with eco-tourism - community. All are aimed at the goal of welcoming 13.8 million visitors in 2024, while spreading the message "Thanh Hoa Tourism - Four Seasons of Fragrance" to a large number of domestic and international tourists.

Article and photos: Le Anh

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