Ninh Binh tourism creates momentum to promote economic growth

The year 2023 has ended with positive signs as Ninh Binh's economy is gradually recovering, and some key economic sectors have seen growth again. Notably, the tourism sector continues to grow strongly, becoming an important driving force for the development of the service and trade sectors.

Sustainable development drivers

In 2023, the international, regional and domestic situation had complicated developments, directly affecting the tourism industry of the whole country. However, overcoming difficulties, Ninh Binh tourism industry continued to have strong development steps, making important contributions to the economic growth of the province.

Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Department of Tourism, said: During the year, the number of visitors and tourism revenue continued to increase rapidly, exceeding the growth scenario set out. The whole province welcomed over 6.5 million visitors, 1.7 times higher than in 2022, reaching over 123% of the plan. Tourism revenue reached over 6,500 billion VND, more than 2 times higher than the same period and reaching over 156% of the plan.

The results achieved by the tourism industry have significantly contributed to making the trade and service sector a driving force and creating a breakthrough for the province's economic growth. Specifically, in 2023, the total value of the provincial product (GRDP) of the trade and service sector reached over VND 20,400 billion, the second year with a double-digit growth rate. This is the sector with the highest contribution as well as the most stable growth rate last year.

Although, if talking about direct contribution to the economy, the tourism industry accounts for a low proportion, the strong development of the industry has created the premise, promoting the development of many other industries and fields. Because tourism is a comprehensive economic sector, it has a direct impact on many other industries and fields, such as accommodation, transportation, cuisine , souvenirs, etc.

According to Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Tourism: "One of the important contributions of the tourism industry is to create stable jobs for tens of thousands of local workers, thereby improving income, living standards, and happiness index of people in Ninh Binh province". This is also the goal and great aspiration that Ninh Binh province always strives for to ensure the goal of harmony between economic development and sustainable environmental protection; preserve and promote historical and cultural values, natural heritage and care for people's lives. Therefore, in addition to direct revenue, it is necessary to recognize the indirect contributions of tourism to other fields to fully see its role as a driving force for the province's economic growth.

Make tourism a spearhead economic sector

The Resolution of the 22nd Provincial Party Congress continues to identify and develop Ninh Binh into a tourism center of the region and the whole country, aiming to make tourism a spearhead economic sector. The target by 2025 is that total tourism revenue will reach over VND 8,000 billion, contributing about 6.5% of the province's GRDP. By 2030, total tourism revenue will reach VND 18,660 billion, contributing about 8% of GRDP.

In addition, the goals and aspirations recently identified by Ninh Binh province are to build Ninh Binh province into a fairly developed province by 2030, basically meeting the criteria of a centrally-run city; and by 2035 to become a centrally-run city, a typical model of harmoniously combining restoration, heritage conservation and development.

To achieve these goals, tourism needs to continue to play a role as a pillar that actively contributes to economic growth and is a strong driving force for other economic sectors. In the immediate future, in 2024, Ninh Binh province aims to welcome 7.5 million visitors, of which 6.6 million are domestic visitors and 900,000 are international visitors, with estimated revenue of VND8,250 billion.

To achieve this goal, Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Department of Tourism, informed: The tourism industry has been implementing "multi-tasks" and "multi-solutions" with the highest determination and efforts such as: Focusing on planning tourism development in a green and sustainable direction. Developing synchronous and modern infrastructure and facilities, tourism techniques. Prioritizing the acceleration of new investment in the transportation system connecting tourist areas, tourist spots, tourist routes, waterway traffic infrastructure to develop river tourism. Allocating capital to accelerate the progress and early completion of key tourism infrastructure projects, especially in tourist areas planned to become national tourist areas.

Along with that is diversifying tourism products, focusing on the night economy, developing and improving the quality of tourism types and products with strengths such as cultural-historical tourism, spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, community tourism... Investing in developing new tourism products with great potential, such as resort tourism, coastal eco-tourism, lake resort eco-tourism, medical tourism, water sports tourism, high-end entertainment...

At the same time, Ninh Binh also strengthens State management and creates a favorable environment for tourism development. Continue to research the market, promote, advertise, link, and cooperate domestically and internationally in tourism development. Focus on prioritizing the acceleration of technology application, digital transformation of tourism to connect to support and enhance the experience for tourists and serve management work; build a smart tourism ecosystem to connect tourism service infrastructure; improve the quality of human resources, towards professionalism, class, and brand of the land and people of the Ancient Capital.

Minh Hai

Source