Improve the quality of tourism services

With the aim of developing sustainable and inclusive tourism in Quang Ninh on a foundation of green growth, the province has consistently focused on improving the quality of tourism services; developing in a professional, modern, and targeted manner. Ha Long City, a key tourism destination in the province, has seen a significant increase in tourist numbers since the beginning of June. This has led to numerous negative reports on social media reflecting on the local tourism business environment. These reports primarily focus on issues such as: the appearance of some restaurants and tourist boats offering poor quality services and exorbitant prices; unlicensed taxis and electric vehicles engaging in aggressive soliciting; and poor customer service from staff, causing frustration for tourists and damaging the city's tourism image. The Steering Committee for Tourism Management and Development of Ha Long City held a meeting to rectify the tourism business environment in the city (June 17, 2024). Photo: Hoang Nga. In response to this situation, the People's Committee of Ha Long City issued a directive to departments, agencies, and communes/wards to focus on improving the tourism business environment. In addition, on June 22, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee conducted an inspection of the actual tourism activities in Ha Long City. Not only in Ha Long, but improving the quality of tourism services throughout the province has always seen active participation from all levels, sectors, and localities. From the beginning of the year, the Provincial People's Committee directed the development and issuance of a specialized plan on tourism with 186 programs and events to stimulate tourism; striving to attract at least 17 million visitors in 2024, including 3 million international visitors. At the same time, the province is strengthening state management of festivals, beliefs, and religions, while promoting tourism during the spring season and throughout 2024; improving the effectiveness of management, protection, and promotion of the value of the Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage Site; completing the Quang Ninh Provincial Tourism Development Plan to 2030, with a vision to 2045; focusing on developing tourism products associated with the unique values ​​of the locality, such as: Ha Long Bay tourism, Bai Tu Long Bay tourism, Yen Tu National Special Historical Site... The Grand Pioneers 2 cruise ship, operating the "Heritage Journey" connecting Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, is one of Quang Ninh 's new tourism products in 2024. (Photo: Nguyen Thom) Notably, in February, the province successfully organized a conference to promote and attract tourism investment during the Clipper Race 2023-2024 round-the-world sailing race's visit to Ha Long; and held an exhibition showcasing aircraft from the COMAC Group at Van Don International Airport... Of the province's 13 districts, towns, and cities, 12 localities have been recognized as tourist routes and destinations, with 33 routes and 91 tourist destinations. The province has 1,654 tourist accommodation establishments with 33,593 rooms that have been classified, including 108 hotels of 3-5 stars. There are 24 restaurants meeting tourist service standards, 27 businesses meeting tourist service standards, 1 entertainment venue for tourists, and 12 tourist beaches. Quang Ninh's tourism accommodation system has developed both in quantity and quality, with the presence of many high-end hotel management groups such as Inter Continental, Accor, Wyndham Legend, Novotel, Best Western International, Muong Thanh, Sun Group , Vingroup, etc. High-quality tourist cruise ships and restaurant ships are considered a unique tourism product of Quang Ninh. The Wyndham Garden Sonasea Van Don resort, operational since April 2024, has become a highlight for Quang Ninh tourism. (Photo: Nguyen Thom) Along with this, the province has 133 travel companies and branches; including 96 international travel businesses, 24 domestic travel businesses, and 13 travel branches. Transportation for tourism is also abundant and of good quality, with nearly 500 tourist boats, of which 200 have accommodation facilities with 1,900 rooms and 3,800 beds; and approximately 250 tourist buses with 7,500 seats. The province has also mobilized significant resources to invest in synchronous and modern tourism infrastructure such as transportation infrastructure, tourist ports, and resorts... Simultaneously creating diverse and unique tourism products. The market and supermarket system continues to be invested in and upgraded in a comprehensive and modern manner, effectively serving tourism activities in the area. The tourism development space in the province has been expanded, focusing on key areas, linked to environmental protection, landscape preservation, and the conservation and promotion of heritage values. The province has launched 62 new tourism products in 2024, such as: the Ha Long Carnival 2024; the lighthouse entertainment complex; high-class, high-quality cruise services connecting Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay; the Wyndham Garden Sonasea resort within the Sonasea Van Don Harbor City complex... contributing to enhancing experiences, extending the length of stay, increasing spending capacity of tourists, and gradually making Quang Ninh a "Four-Season Wonder" destination. As a result, in the first six months of the year, the province's service and tourism sector continued to experience strong growth. The total number of tourists visiting Quang Ninh reached over 10.4 million, an increase of 18% compared to the same period in 2023; of which, international tourists are estimated at nearly 2 million. Total tourism revenue in the first six months of 2024 reached VND 22,285 billion, an increase of 34% compared to the same period.