Expanding flight routes to attract international visitors

In order to diversify international tourist markets, the city's tourism industry and businesses continuously have promotional trips to expand the market and connect new routes. When there are routes, attracting tourists to Da Nang will be much easier.

International visitors arrive in Da Nang city via Da Nang International Airport. Photo: THU HA

According to the City Statistics Office, in the first 6 months of 2021, the total number of guests served by accommodation establishments is estimated at about 5.1 million, an increase of 25.6% over the same period in 2023. Of which, international guests reached 2.0 million, an increase of 40.3% over the same period; domestic guests reached 3.1 million, an increase of 17.7% over the same period.

The growth in the number of international visitors to Da Nang shows the efforts of the city's tourism industry in recent times. Along with regular and continuous promotion and advertising activities in key and target markets, the city's tourism industry has also strengthened connections and cooperation with airlines in resuming existing routes or opening new routes.

According to a representative of the International Terminal Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company (AHT), the flight schedule of international airlines to Da Nang in the summer of 2024 (from March 31 to October 26) has an average of about 100 arrivals and departures per day. The peak is June, with an average of about 102 arrivals and departures per day, an increase of 2% compared to the average daily output of the summer of 2024. July 2024 increased by 7.37% compared to July 2023 (an average of 95 arrivals and departures per day).

It is expected that from September 2024, Malaysia Airlines will operate the Kuala Lumpur - Da Nang route with a frequency of 7 flights/week. Recently, in order to connect and expand more routes to countries in the region, tourism businesses in the city have coordinated with relevant units to organize the reception of famtrip delegations to survey tourism services as well as promote flights of tour groups and businesses from Indonesia, including representatives of Citilibk Airlines (Indonesian Airlines).

It is known that this airline plans to operate charter flights from Jakarta (Indonesia) to Da Nang by the end of 2024.

According to Mr. Joseph, Asia Regional Sales Director, Citilink Airlines, Da Nang and Central Vietnam are creating attraction for the Indonesian tourist market and Citilink Airlines plans to coordinate with travel companies in Da Nang and Central Vietnam to open flights from Jakarta to Da Nang in the fourth quarter of 2024. In the immediate future, the airline plans to operate with a frequency of 2 flights/week and will increase the frequency after developing a stable number of passengers. Da Nang also has Hong Kong Airlines officially operating a round-trip flight from Hong Kong (China) to Da Nang every day with a frequency of 7 flights/week.

According to Hong Kong Airline Chairman Gary Zhan, the launch of the Hong Kong - Da Nang route will give passengers more options to travel between the two cities. Young people can freely explore new destinations, while businessmen can also travel to cooperate and develop their work. Along with that, the Hong Kong - Da Nang route will expand the scope of Hong Kong Airlines' flight network in Southeast Asia.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Xoang, Director of Hai Van Cat International Travel Joint Stock Company, assessed that the introduction of new routes by airlines not only contributes to the recovery and development of the international flight network to Da Nang but also opens up many opportunities to connect Da Nang with other international destinations in the region and around the world. When there are direct flights, exploiting new tourist markets is also much more convenient.

Connected flights contribute to attracting visitors to Da Nang. IN PHOTO: Tourists visit the special national scenic site Ngu Hanh Son . Photo: THU HA

Currently, Da Nang has 16 regular international flights operated by airlines. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai An, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, said that recently the city has continuously had business trips and promotions, in addition to promoting tourism, it also connects and opens new routes.

The fact that airlines are operating flights to Da Nang shows a positive sign for the city’s tourism. Da Nang is in a period of recovery and growth and sees opportunities to diversify markets through the operation of flights by airlines.

Along with flights from traditional markets, there are new airlines operating existing routes; expanding flights from new markets, which will contribute to diversifying the market, specializing in customer markets, and expanding the flight target. Recently, Hong Kong Airlines is the third airline to operate the Hong Kong - Da Nang route, which will contribute to attracting more customers from key markets.

“Before Covid-19, China was a key tourist market for Da Nang tourism. To attract visitors, the department is expected to organize promotional programs in Shenzhen and Guangzhou (China) in the third and fourth quarters. In addition, the city's tourism industry will have promotional activities at fairs; work with relevant businesses and units to speed up the connection and reopening of charter flights for these routes,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai An informed.

THU HA

Source: http://baodanang.vn/kinhte/202407/mo-rong-cac-duong-bay-de-thu-hut-khach-quoc-te-3979551/