Tourism-based economy will create a major breakthrough.

In 2024, Quang Tri welcomed over 3 million tourists, including 168,000 international visitors, the highest number ever recorded, and this number is projected to increase significantly in the coming years. This is a positive sign as tourism has been identified as a key economic sector, attracting investment and creating breakthroughs to help Quang Tri transform and develop.

The improved infrastructure of Gio Hai beach will stimulate beach tourism in 2025 - Photo: LE MINH

Over 3 million tourists visited Quang Tri.

According to Le Minh Tuan, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the number of tourists visiting Quang Tri in 2024 is estimated at 3,014,000, an increase of 48.6% compared to 2023; including 168,000 international tourists and 2,846,000 domestic tourists. This figure is close to the target set in Resolution 35/2017/NQ-HĐND, dated December 14, 2017, of the Provincial People's Council, aiming to attract 3,250,000 tourists by 2025.

In addition, social revenue from tourism is estimated at approximately 2,400 billion VND, an increase of 31.8% compared to 2023, of which specialized tourism revenue is estimated at approximately 823 billion VND, an increase of 31.2% compared to 2023. This shows that the province's identification of tourism as a key economic sector for long-term investment is correct.

Statistics show that international tourists to Quang Tri come from markets such as Laos and Thailand, along with countries like the US, Australia, Western Europe, and Northeast Asian countries. Tourism products that attract visitors include "Memories of War - Aspiration for Peace," "Gateway to the East-West Economic Corridor," connecting and linking tourism along the "Central Vietnam Heritage Route," the "Legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail"; DMZ tours, "One Day Eating in Three Countries," the "Call of the Sea" Caravan, and "Exploring Western Quang Tri Tourism"... Besides that, beach tourism also attracts the attention of tourists. In particular, through the 2024 Peace Festival, many peace-loving domestic and international tourists visited Quang Tri.

Currently, the province has 236 accommodation establishments with 3,481 rooms and 5,977 beds, including 66 hotels ranging from 1 to 4 stars and standard hotels, 170 guesthouses, homestays and other lodging facilities; and 26 travel service businesses, including 10 international travel businesses and 16 domestic travel businesses, basically meeting the needs of tourists visiting Quang Tri.

Tourism infrastructure is receiving increased investment.

Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Le Minh Tuan, emphasized: From 2017 to 2024, the resources allocated for tourism infrastructure amounted to 48,109.361 billion VND. The investment projects include: infrastructure for the Gio Hai community beach service and tourism area; the coastal road connecting the East-West Economic Corridor; the road connecting the center of Vinh Linh district to coastal communes; and infrastructure for the Cua Tung tourist area and the Vinh Thai community beach (phase 1).

Many projects, such as roads connecting tourist destinations in Huong Hoa district; the development of tourism infrastructure to support comprehensive growth in the Greater Mekong Subregion, Phase 2 - Quang Tri Sub-project, which includes four tourism infrastructure components for Trung Giang, Gio Hai, and Cua Viet beaches, and investment in Cua Viet tourist port infrastructure with a total investment of US$11.434 million, were also constructed during this period. In addition, projects for the preservation, restoration, and upgrading of key revolutionary historical sites in Quang Tri province, such as the General Secretary Le Duan Memorial Area; the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel Museum; and the Vinh Moc Tunnel historical site, were also implemented.

A section of the community beach in Trung Giang commune, Gio Linh district, is in the final stages of completion and will be put into operation during the 2025 beach tourism season - Photo: LE MINH

To ensure a long-term strategy, the planning and development of tourist areas and destinations in the province has been given priority. To date, the Provincial People's Committee has approved the planning and directed investment in infrastructure for potential tourist areas such as the Cua Viet Service and Tourism Area (191.17 ha), Cua Tung Tourist Area (135 ha), Cua Tung - Cua Viet Coastal Service and Tourism Area (746.17 ha), Cua Tung - Vinh Moc Tunnel Coastal Service and Tourism Area (174.5 ha), Vinh Thai Service and Tourism Area (518 ha), Con Co Island District Tourist Area (45.49 ha), Trieu An - Trieu Van Service and Tourism Area (300 ha)... Currently, the Department of Construction is advising on the completion of the General Planning for the construction of the coastal area of ​​Quang Tri province until 2045.

In particular, the Cua Tung - Cua Viet - Con Co Island tourist area has been included by the Prime Minister in the list of potential locations for national tourism development planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045, in Decision 509/QD-TTg, dated June 13, 2024. This is an attractive tourist area with high competitiveness, making an important contribution to creating a boost for Quang Tri's tourism to accelerate development commensurate with its potential and advantages.

Simultaneously, to meet the requirements of tourism development in the new situation, the Provincial People's Committee has directed the adjustment and expansion of the zoning plan for the Cua Viet, Cua Tung, and Vinh Thai tourist areas; the tourist area along the Cua Tung - Cua Viet coastal road; the Mui Treo beach resort complex; the Eden Charm resort; the Gio Hai tourism and service area; and the ecological tourist areas of Ba Voi Waterfall (Dakrong) and Brai - Ta Puong (Huong Hoa).

In addition, areas with high tourism potential such as: Gio An community tourism area; Tung Luat community-ecological tourism village; Ban Rung ecological tourism area, Choong waterfall, Ban Da Nay (Cam Lo); tourism-hotel-resort complex, commercial center, cultural and sports center in the Hai Le spillway area... have been included in the plan and are currently being focused on for implementation.

Making it attractive to tourists.

According to Nguyen Tien Luc, Head of the Tourism Management Department of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to help tourists recognize Quang Tri as a tourist destination, emphasis is placed on tourism promotion, marketing, linkages, cooperation, and the development of tourism products. Mr. Luc stated that, in addition to promotional and marketing campaigns, in the 4.0 era, tourists wishing to visit Quang Tri can easily find information about local tourism through websites such as dulichquangtri.com.vn; dulich.quangtri.gov.vn; and ipa.quangtri.gov.vn. Social media platforms are increasingly leveraging their strengths in promotion, such as “Visit Quang Tri” and “Checkin Quang Tri”. Statistics show that the “Visit Quang Tri” fanpage has 13,000 followers, and the “Checkin Quang Tri” group has 35,900 members.

Regarding tourism linkages and cooperation, cooperation in tourism development will be carried out between the three provinces of Quang Tri, Savannakhet, and Mukdahan; and the three provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue will periodically take turns organizing tourism development cooperation conferences with the determination to link the three provinces into a large tourism region with the strength to compete with other regions and tourist destinations nationwide and in the region. Participation as a member of the Central Vietnam Five-Province Linkage Bloc (Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh) with the theme "Central Vietnam Tourism - A Land of Wonderful Heritage".

Participating in the forum on tourism development linkages with Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi and the expanded North Central provinces; signing cooperation agreements with Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and the Central Highlands provinces - these are important source markets for tourists from the Central provinces in general and Quang Tri in particular. Signing cooperation agreements with Vietnam Airlines (VNA) and SaiGontourist Tourism Company for the period 2022-2025 to strengthen linkages, promote tourism, and bring tourists to Quang Tri.

Regarding tourism products, the province is gradually improving the quality of existing products while focusing on investing in new tourism products to increase attractiveness and attract tourists. The success of the 2024 Peace Festival with the theme "Joining hands to build a peaceful world" has created conditions for the province to organize subsequent events with many unique, rich, and attractive activities, attracting not only domestic but also international tourists. In addition, the province also pays attention to preserving, restoring, and maintaining a number of traditional festivals such as: Bich La communal market, Ariêuping (horse-drawing ceremony), new rice harvest festival, gong and drum festival, activities commemorating the July festival, and the National Reunification Festival...

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Anh (38 years old) - an IT entrepreneur from Dong Da district, Hanoi - said: “I am very impressed with the series of activities in the 2024 Peace Festival. This is different, unique, and competitive compared to other localities. Besides, Quang Tri's beaches are very beautiful and pristine, and need investment for development. If these strengths are strongly promoted, Quang Tri will become an attractive tourist destination for visitors.”

Le Minh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te-du-lich-se-tao-dot-pha-lon-190795.htm