Improving the quality and image of tourism.

Báo Lào Cai•21/06/2023

The rapid recovery of tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic has led to many problems, such as a lack of parking spaces, localized traffic congestion; pollution from waste, noise, and light; depletion of tourism resources; illegal construction in tourist areas and attractions; encroachment on sidewalks and roads; street vending; harassment of tourists; a lack of high-quality tourism products; and a shortage of human resources.

In response to this situation, on September 7, 2022, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issued Directive No. 13 on a number of urgent tasks and solutions to improve the image and quality of tourism in Lao Cai province. After 9 months of implementing the directive, the quality and image of tourism in Lao Cai have improved significantly.

The most pressing issues facing the Sa Pa National Tourist Area are traffic congestion and waste. The town of Sa Pa has established a Steering Committee to address traffic congestion within the town; installed traffic signs, tourist directional signs, painted road markings, etc., and has received positive feedback from residents and tourists.

Sa Pa town is also taking decisive action to address violations of illegal parking; renovating and repairing temporary parking lots to minimize localized traffic congestion during holidays and weekends. In 2023, Sa Pa town launched a movement for all citizens to join hands in building the brand "Sa Pa - a clean, beautiful, and civilized national tourist area".

The town has invested in improving tourism infrastructure, prioritizing urban beautification and addressing environmental issues. To date, the urban and rural areas of Sa Pa have seen significant improvements, receiving positive feedback and appreciation from both locals and tourists. Cultural and tourism events have been enhanced in quality; tourism products are increasingly diverse, and tourism spaces have expanded, meeting the varied and rich experiential needs of different tourist groups.
Mr. Do Van Tan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Sa Pa town.

Contributing to attracting tourists and improving the quality and image of tourism in Lao Cai, the Provincial Tourism Association actively participated in the program to express gratitude to tourists on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Sa Pa tourism, with nearly 100 businesses responding, registering for appreciation programs, offering discounts and fulfilling their commitments. The Provincial Tourism Association also coordinated with the Department of Tourism to organize training courses, conferences, and workshops on protecting tourism resources and raising awareness about the harmful effects of waste at accommodation establishments and tourist sites among tourism service businesses.

Tourism businesses are always conscious of developing new products and improving service quality to contribute to building a civilized, systematic, and professional tourism industry.
Mr. Pham Cao Vy, Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Association.

Following the directive, the Department of Tourism has coordinated with relevant units to promote tourism, organize numerous provincial-level tourism events, and implement tourism stimulus programs. Localities and businesses have been guided in organizing events and developing unique new tourism products characteristic of Lao Cai. Communication, tourism promotion, and international and domestic cooperation programs have been strengthened. Notably, in 2023, a series of activities were held to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Sa Pa tourism.

The Department of Tourism has advised and submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for promulgation the Framework for the Development Strategy of Tourism in Lao Cai Province until 2030, with a vision to 2050. Difficulties, obstacles, and feedback from businesses are regularly monitored. The Department of Tourism has organized meetings with travel businesses to discuss solutions for welcoming Chinese tourists under the new normal conditions and established a Travel Association branch under the Lao Cai Provincial Tourism Association, proposing solutions to connect and facilitate tourism development. Recently, the Department of Tourism also issued document No. 546/SDL-QLDL on coordinating the reception of feedback from tourists. Accordingly, the Department of Tourism requests the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities; tourism service businesses; tourist areas and destinations; accommodation establishments; and travel businesses to coordinate the implementation of this initiative. Tourism transport businesses should proactively print and place signs in easily visible locations to receive feedback and suggestions from tourists.

Digital transformation serving state management in the tourism sector has also been effectively implemented. The Department of Tourism has worked with VNPT Lao Cai on updating data on the province's tourism portal, facilitating easy and accurate access to information for residents, tourists, businesses, and state management agencies. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, a tourist from Hanoi, said: "We can easily find information about tourism in Lao Cai on electronic information websites; comparing service quality, prices, and booking rooms is all convenient."

Thanks to the efforts of the tourism industry and localities in improving the quality and image of tourism, the number of visitors to Lao Cai has continuously increased over the months. In the first five months of this year, the total number of visitors to Lao Cai reached over 3.1 million, equivalent to 52% of the annual plan, an increase of 162% compared to the same period in 2022.

The initial propaganda and dissemination activities regarding the directive have yielded positive results. However, some agencies, units, and localities still lack a full and deep understanding of the urgency of improving the quality and image of tourism in Lao Cai. The implementation by the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities is still lacking in specificity, thoroughness, and decisiveness, especially regarding urgent issues; and immigration and emigration activities through the Lao Cai International Border Gate still face many difficulties, obstacles, and shortcomings.
Mr. Tran Son Binh, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Tourism.

In the coming period, the tourism sector and localities will continue to closely follow the assigned tasks in the directive, self-review assigned tasks that have not yet been implemented, and promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles. At the same time, they will issue plans and solutions in accordance with the directive's tasks to tighten management of tourism activities in the province, contributing to ensuring security and safety in tourism activities; organize inspections and reviews to promptly detect violations by individuals and organizations operating tourism services within their jurisdiction, with the goal of improving the quality and image of tourism in Lao Cai.

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