Tourists visit Western Street and use tailoring services. Photo: HOANG HAI

More motivation for travel

Hearing that AEON MALL Hue was organizing an art program inviting singers Thuy Chi and Anh Tu to perform (August 23), the young tourist couple Thai Minh and Thanh Truc (from Quang Ngai province) shortened their trip in Da Nang to go to Hue to meet their idols. They scheduled a day and night in Hue to experience many activities. "On this trip to Hue, we were able to visit, shop and enjoy the cuisine . Especially, watching the singers perform made it much more interesting and exciting," Thai Minh shared.

Recently, AEON MALL Hue has organized many music nights and art programs. This is considered a part of the association orientation to not only attract visitors to AEON MALL Hue but also promote tourism. According to the representative of AEON MALL Hue, the association orientation plans have been determined, including: Cultural shows combined with food, entertainment and shopping services; free buses to pick up and drop off visitors from hotels/tourist attractions to the mall; combining multi-dimensional advertising and promotion between the mall and travel agencies - hotels - restaurants and organizing large-scale "travel fairs" at the mall.

The combination of tourism, shopping and art appreciation is opening up opportunities to solve the "bottleneck" of Hue tourism. For a long time, shopping has been considered a complementary factor and contributes to the experience of tourists during their trip. As life improves, the need for shopping increases and this has become one of the factors that has more influence on tourists' travel decisions. Besides, the current trend of tourists - especially young people, is very passionate about art programs with the participation of idol artists. Therefore, the combination of tourism, shopping and art appreciation is an even more motivating factor to encourage tourists to come to Hue and keep them longer.

In Hue, tourism combined with shopping has been formed quite early. Tourists have the need to visit and shop at traditional markets, especially Dong Ba market. However, in general, traditional markets are still difficult to create real attraction for tourists, making it difficult for travel agencies to build tours in a systematic and professional manner. Meanwhile, in the past, Hue lacked high-class shopping centers that could attract tourists. Hue also did not regularly have art programs to attract idol singers of young people.

A good combination between travel agencies and shopping centers will help businesses and tourists proactively build their schedules. In addition to meeting tourists' shopping and entertainment needs, it also reduces the worry of waiting for the airport; flexibility when the plane is delayed, applying solutions to change schedules in heavy rain conditions... In particular, having art programs will make the tour more lively or at least give visitors more interesting places to play during their free time.

A large number of people and tourists came to AEON MALL Hue to watch the music night performed by singer Anh Tu.

Tours and routes need to be formed soon.

Shopping and performing arts activities are great opportunities to attract customers. However, for long-term development and benefits for all parties, it is not enough to simply attract self-sufficient customers, but it is necessary to create tour products, routes, and connections between travel agencies, tourism businesses and commercial centers, aiming at the goal of mutually beneficial cooperation (win-win).

Recently, the Department of Tourism has organized activities for travel agencies to survey and research to build suitable tourism products. However, to form tours and routes, making the shopping mall a destination in the tour program depends on many factors. Vice President and Head of the Product Department of the Hue City Tourism Association Duong Thi Cong Ly said that the desire of travel agencies is to soon discuss with AEON MALL Hue Shopping Center policies and cooperation mechanisms to form tour and route products.

Experience from tours and tourist routes in other countries shows that incorporating shopping, art viewing, and entertainment experiences at shopping malls into tour programs is very popular. There are many ways to connect and cooperate between tourism and commercial businesses, including cooperating with shopping malls to add food and beverage services to tours. Tickets or vouchers can be sold to tourists. Visitors can freely choose food and beverage stalls and shopping in the same area to proactively schedule and save time.

Infrastructure for shopping tourism and performing arts is available. The cooperation between the parties must be long-term with specific commitments and reasonable incentives and stimulus policies. Based on the plans and orientations of commercial centers and travel agencies and hotels, attractive tourism products will be formed, bringing good experiences to tourists and increasing tourists' spending when traveling to Hue.

Article and photos: HUU PHUC

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/du-lich/giu-chan-du-khach-157903.html