Aiming to exploit the Indonesian tourist market

Indonesia, with a population of nearly 280 million people, is a potential tourist market. However, due to cultural differences and lack of connectivity, the number of tourists from the archipelago to Vietnam in general and Khanh Hoa in particular is still limited. To exploit this market, it is necessary to promote communication and soon have direct flights from Indonesia to Khanh Hoa.

Great potential

According to statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), in 2023, Vietnam welcomed 105,380 Indonesian visitors; in the first 2 months of 2024, Vietnam welcomed more than 30,300 Indonesian visitors, an increase of 116.3% over the same period in 2023. These figures show that the number of Indonesian visitors to Vietnam is not large. However, Indonesia with a population of more than 280 million people (ranked 4th in the world and leading in Southeast Asia) is becoming an important source of visitors with great potential that Vietnam as well as many countries in the world are aiming for. Domestically, tourism-developed cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang... are looking for ways to expand and exploit the tourist market from the archipelago country.

Indonesian delegation watched a performance of traditional Vietnamese musical instruments at Hon Chong Scenic Area, Nha Trang City.

In the trend of diversifying the international tourist market, the provincial tourism sector has begun to approach to promote the exploitation of the potential of the Indonesian tourist market. Recently, within the framework of the Meeting with Indonesia Conference (organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam on March 22), a discussion session on digital economy and tourism cooperation took place. At this discussion session, the leaders of the Department of Tourism introduced the province's tourism potential and strengths, typical products and services, service capacity and achievements in Khanh Hoa tourism development in recent times; at the same time, expressed the desire to cooperate with Indonesia to exploit two-way tourism. “In the immediate future, we propose that the Indonesian Tourism Association (IATA) and the IATA of Indonesian provinces and cities pay attention to connecting with the IATA Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa to regularly exchange information, organize famtrips and press trips to support tourism promotion and introduce tourism products and services of both sides. At the same time, consider signing a memorandum of understanding on tourism development cooperation between Khanh Hoa and Indonesia towards long-term sustainable development; coordinate with airlines to study opening direct flights from Indonesia to Khanh Hoa and vice versa to create favorable conditions for people and tourists,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Thanh - Director of the Department of Tourism. Also within the framework of the Indonesia Meeting 2024 Conference, the Indonesian delegation visited the Ponagar Tower Relic Site, Hon Chong scenic spot, Do Theater... Mr. Adhy Karyono - Acting Governor of East Java Province (Indonesia) highly appreciated the development of Khanh Hoa tourism, wishing to cooperate with Khanh Hoa to exploit two-way tours.

According to information from the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, currently, the Indonesian economy is recovering strongly after the Covid-19 epidemic, people have a large demand for travel. Therefore, the number of Indonesian tourists to Vietnam in general and Khanh Hoa in particular is still very modest, which is a pity. "The flight time from Vietnam to Indonesia is only about 2 hours, visitors are exempt from visas, so it is very convenient to travel in Vietnam. But so far, Indonesia is not in the top 10 international tourist markets of Vietnam, which is a pity", Mr. Nguyen Van Hai - Business Development Director of Vinpearl Joint Stock Company (under Vingroup Corporation) expressed.

A systematic approach is needed.

According to travel businesses, despite the great potential, exploiting the Indonesian tourist market also has obstacles because the people of this country do not have much information about Khanh Hoa tourism, and there are no direct flights from Indonesia to Khanh Hoa. During a survey trip to Khanh Hoa tourism at the end of 2023, Ms. Deasy Christina - representative of PT Globalindo Kreasi Wisata Company (Indonesia) said that in order to attract Indonesian tourists, Khanh Hoa needs to further promote and advertise and must soon have a direct flight from Jakarta (Indonesia) to Cam Ranh. In addition, cultural and religious differences are also significant barriers in welcoming visitors from the archipelago country. “Indonesia has 61% of its population following Islam. Meanwhile, in Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa, there are not many facilities that meet the standards to serve Muslim tourists. To promote the exploitation of the Indonesian tourist market, hotels and resorts must provide services that meet Halal standards and certification (standards according to Islamic law)…”, said Mr. Pham Minh Nhut - Vice Chairman of HHDL Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa.

Indonesian delegation tried playing Vietnamese bamboo musical instruments.

Talking to Khanh Hoa Newspaper reporters, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Thanh said that meeting with Indonesian partners is just the first step. To promote the exploitation of the Indonesian tourist market, Khanh Hoa tourism needs careful preparation of products as well as communication and promotion work. Regarding communication and promotion work, Mr. Nguyen Van Hai said that Khanh Hoa and Indonesia tourism have many similarities, which is the strong development of sea and island tourism. Accordingly, when promoting Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa tourism, it is not only necessary to emphasize the strengths of sea resort tourism but also to introduce Khanh Hoa as a gateway to welcome visitors to explore many different tourist areas of Vietnam. Visitors to Khanh Hoa can continue on tours to explore the green nature of Da Lat (Lam Dong province), explore the culture of the Central Highlands when expanding to Dak Lak...

THANH NGUYEN

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