Defining the direction of tourism development in the coming period.

Kinhtedothi - Besides timely measures taken during the storm and flood season, the tourism industry in Lao Cai province has also outlined development directions for the future.

Mr. Lai Vu Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Lao Cai province, said that in the coming time, the province will focus on developing green and sustainable tourism.

Ensuring transportation connectivity to tourist destinations.

According to Mr. Lai Vu Hiep, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Lao Cai province, at the time when floods caused serious damage, relevant departments had to consider the issue of recovery and tourism development after the floods.

Accordingly, the Department of Tourism has requested the Provincial People's Committee to direct local departments and agencies to implement specific tasks in the coming period, such as:

The Department of Transport, in coordination with the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities, will quickly repair landslide-affected roads to ensure convenient and safe traffic for tourists, especially on routes to key tourist destinations such as Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Y Ty, and Bat Xat (national and provincial highways).

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will take the lead and coordinate with local authorities to review, assess, and mitigate damage to crops, livestock, and agricultural and ecotourism models.

The provincial police prioritize ensuring security and order at tourist areas and attractions.

The Department of Health prioritizes ensuring healthcare and food safety in key tourist destinations.

The People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities shall take the lead in coordinating with the Department of Tourism to review tourist destinations and tourism service businesses in their areas (accommodation, restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping areas, etc., serving tourists); announce easily accessible and safe destinations through mass media and tourism promotion channels; and provide information regularly and continuously.

Propaganda, mobilization, and guidance should be provided to agencies, organizations, people, and businesses to unite and work together to clean up streets, refresh the landscape of villages, tourist areas, historical sites, and accommodation facilities in the area after the storms and floods, in order to be ready to welcome tourists back.

In the long term, research should focus on developing villages affected by Typhoon No. 3, such as Nu Village, Nam Tong Village, and Kho Vang Village, into tourist destinations that combine environmental protection education and disaster prevention.

The image shows a neighborhood in Sa Pa town gradually becoming lively again.

Proposing policies to support the tourism industry.

Based on Resolution No. 143/NQ-CP dated September 17, 2024, of the Government on key tasks and solutions to urgently overcome the consequences of Typhoon No. 3, including policies to support the tourism industry, the Lao Cai Department of Tourism has made several proposals such as:

The State Bank of Vietnam branch has directed commercial banks to consider restructuring loan terms and debts; waiving or reducing interest rates; or providing interest rate support from the State budget for preferential loans to affected customers.

The Social Policy Bank of Lao Cai province is considering waiving or reducing interest rates on loans for affected customers, including homestay establishments currently receiving loan support under Resolution 06/2021/NQ-HĐND.

The Provincial Tax Department will consider reducing land rent and land tax, temporarily exempting corporate income tax, or extending the deadline for settling various taxes.

The provincial social insurance agency is studying the possibility of extending the deadline for social insurance contributions for tourism businesses that suffered losses due to Typhoon No. 3.

In addition, the Department of Tourism has instructed travel agencies in the province to reduce the deposit for travel service businesses by 80% until June 2025.

The scenery of majestic, undulating mountains and forests stretches along the road to Si Ma Cai district.

Organize activities and enhance the promotion and introduction of Lao Cai's tourism image.

Mr. Lai Vu Hiep stated that, in the coming period, the Lao Cai Department of Tourism will take the lead and coordinate with relevant departments and localities to implement a program of promotion, linkage, and cooperation for a survey in Yunnan (China), with the participation of Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh provinces and cities.

In coordination with the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism of localities in Ha Giang and Lai Chau provinces, a program is being implemented to survey and develop tourism products in the ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Lao Cai province: connecting heritage sites from Sin Suoi Ho (Lai Chau) via the ancient stone road Pavie - Bat Xat - Bac Ha (Lao Cai) - Xin Man (Ha Giang); expected to be completed in November 2024.

In coordination with Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, we will continue the cooperation program with the railway industry (printing brochures, posters, providing publications) to promote tourism in Lao Cai, expected to be completed in October 2024.

Organize the Lao Cai Brocade Festival in Sa Pa with appropriate scale and content to attract tourists to Lao Cai after the impact of storms and floods. Advise on adjusting tourism activities: The "Northwest Brocade Festival - The Colors of Lao Cai Brocade" should be moved from Bac Ha to Sa Pa.

Coordinate with relevant units to research and develop experiential tourism tours and combine this with funding for villages severely damaged by natural disasters. Develop new tourism programs such as: tourism linked to charitable activities; tourism linked to visiting areas affected by storms and floods with the theme "Where the land is reborn"...; promote the development of large-scale MICE tourism.

Coordinate the organization of farmtrip delegations to survey and develop tourism tours connecting Lao Cai with other provinces.

According to Mr. Lai Vu Hiep, Sa Pa town is one of the areas with a rapid rate of urbanization; however, this is mainly concentrated within a radius of a few kilometers from the center, while the surrounding areas still retain certain cultural values.

Developing sustainable tourism products.

Mr. Lai Vu Hiep shared that recently, the Department also organized its largest program ever, welcoming more than 80 travel companies from Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Thanh Hoa to experience farmtrip tourism. This served to introduce unique tourism products of Lao Cai such as landscapes, cuisine, accommodation facilities, and other tourism offerings.

Companies that experienced the service provided very positive feedback and committed to bringing tourists up. Soon after, they began bringing local tour groups up. The Department is also promoting the development of products connecting the sea with the mountains, thereby bringing tourists from Lao Cai to coastal provinces.

In the coming period, based on the Community Tourism Development Project approved by the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Tourism of Lao Cai province will work with localities to reorganize tourism products, aiming to develop community tourism - a sustainable tourism development model.

With this model, people can participate in tourism activities, thereby earning income and gaining experiences, which will motivate them to work with relevant authorities to preserve and promote their national cultural identity.

A unique feature of Lao Cai is its potential to develop distinctive cultural products, encompassing up to 25 diverse ethnic groups.

Currently, the Department of Tourism is incorporating the culture of ethnic minorities into community-based tourism products, considering this as a distinguishing feature between Lao Cai and other provinces in the region and the country.

“For example, the cultures of the Dao, Tay, Xa Pho, and Giay people still retain traditional features such as clothing, festivals, beliefs, and lifestyles. The Department will research and restore these cultural aspects, elevating them to a new level, transforming them into tourism products, and showcasing them at community tourism destinations in those villages. Tourists, especially foreign tourists, really enjoy these tourism products. In addition, relevant agencies and departments also have policies to support cultural groups and people in maintaining these activities…” Mr. Hiep added.

Besides promoting tourism development, the Department of Tourism will strive to preserve and promote national identity, avoiding the rapid urbanization seen in some localities within the province.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/bai-cuoi-dinh-ro-huong-phat-trien-du-lich-trong-thoi-gian-toi.html