We must be selective in attracting investment.

"Focus on attracting investment and managing the industry's development according to plans and strategies; pay attention to attracting capable, experienced, and dedicated investors to implement tourism projects in Binh Thuan province."

This was one of the directives given by Comrade Duong Van An – Member of the Central Committee of the Party – Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee – Head of the National Assembly Delegation at the conference summarizing Resolution No. 06 of the Provincial Party Committee (14th term) on tourism development until 2025, with orientation to 2030, organized by the Binh Thuan Provincial Party Committee on the morning of November 14th.

The conference was attended and chaired by comrades: Duong Van An – Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation; Nguyen Hoai Anh – Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; and Doan Anh Dung – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Also present were members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; Vice Chairmen of the Provincial People's Council and People's Committee; and leaders of departments, agencies, and districts, towns, and cities in the province.

Comrade Nguyen Hoai Anh - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee - delivered the opening speech at the conference.

Bright spot

In his opening remarks at the conference, Comrade Nguyen Hoai Anh, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, emphasized that tourism is a comprehensive economic sector with interdisciplinary, interregional, and highly integrated international characteristics. Tourism not only makes a significant contribution to socio-economic development but also carries profound cultural and social significance. Therefore, in the strategic development orientation of Binh Thuan province, tourism is a key economic sector and one of the three economic pillars of the province. To achieve this goal, on October 24, 2021, the Provincial Party Committee issued Resolution 06 on tourism development until 2025, with a vision to 2030.

Accordingly, Resolution No. 06 inherits the viewpoints, objectives, tasks, and solutions of previous resolutions with the goal of striving to: elevate the status of tourism in Binh Thuan, attract more tourists to Binh Thuan province, encourage longer stays, greater use of services, and more repeat visits; and develop Mui Ne National Tourist Area into one of the leading destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, creating a driving force that spreads to other areas in the province.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Minh delivered a speech at the conference.

After two years of implementing Resolution No. 06, the awareness of all levels, sectors, officials, and the people regarding the position and role of the tourism industry has been raised. There has been a concerted effort and determination to develop the province's tourism industry comprehensively and effectively. The number of tourists visiting the province has increased by an average of 16.28% per year, with international tourists increasing by an average of 2.07 times per year; domestic tourists have increased by an average of 14.8% per year. Total revenue from tourism has increased by an average of 16.56% per year. It is estimated that in 2023, Binh Thuan will welcome approximately 8.3 million tourists, including about 220,000 international tourists and about 8,080,000 domestic tourists. Total revenue from tourism is estimated at approximately 19,500 billion VND. Tourism GRDP reached 9,750 billion VND, accounting for 9.11% of the province's total GRDP. Binh Thuan is among the top 10 provinces with tourism revenue exceeding 10 trillion VND. The successful organization of the Opening Ceremony and activities of the 2023 National Tourism Year “Binh Thuan - Green Convergence” presents a great opportunity for Binh Thuan tourism to become a bright spot in the development of tourism in Central Vietnam and the whole country in the coming time.

There are still limitations and shortcomings.

Despite the above achievements, Binh Thuan's tourism sector still faces many limitations and weaknesses. While the number of tourists and revenue have increased, the industry remains lagging behind compared to localities with established tourism traditions and strengths, as well as some emerging tourism destinations. For example, the province's tourism infrastructure has not yet received comprehensive and complete investment. Attracting investment in large-scale projects, integrated tourism complexes, and high-end resorts linked to entertainment, commerce, services, and sports has been limited. Furthermore, the implementation of tourism projects in many areas of the province is very slow, or many projects remain unimplemented, leading to wasted land resources and creating difficulties and obstacles in management.

Furthermore, while tourism products have improved, they have not yet achieved a breakthrough or strong appeal to tourists. The core values of historical and cultural heritage sites, scenic spots, and landmarks have not been fully utilized in promoting and attracting visitors; professionalism in tourism activities remains low. Environmental sanitation in some areas is poor, especially regarding waste and wastewater in tourist areas, beaches, residential areas, and public spaces. Street vending, harassment, price gouging, and fraudulent weighing practices detract from Binh Thuan's tourism appeal. The promotion and advertising of Binh Thuan tourism through media, social networks, and digital technologies is not consistent enough.

At the conference, delegates focused on thoroughly evaluating the achievements, identifying shortcomings and weaknesses, drawing lessons learned, and proposing tasks and solutions to continue implementing the Resolution more effectively in the future.

It's time to attract selective investment.

Concluding the conference, Provincial Party Secretary Duong Van An emphasized: "Has being crowned the resort capital for so long made us complacent, intoxicated and proud of it, lacking foresight, planning, and direction for tourism development?" The Secretary also questioned, "Or are we hampered by the obstacles we've been discussing for a long time, such as overlapping titanium mining plans and a lack of external transportation links, only to be surpassed by other localities?"

Comrade Duong Van An – Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee – delivered a speech guiding the Conference.

“This year, we’ve seen a rapid recovery, with a large influx of visitors. We’re among the top 10 localities with the highest number of tourists. But where does this result come from? Is it due to external factors? Is it the highway, the demand after a period of inactivity due to the pandemic, or is it because we have renewed and improved the quality of our tourism services, creating stable, sustainable, unique, and attractive value for tourists? Will the number of visitors reach this year’s level next year? We must consider these things and not be complacent. We must not become complacent,” the Provincial Party Secretary shared.

Looking ahead, to achieve even greater success in implementing the goals of Resolution 06, the Provincial Party Secretary requested that all levels, sectors, and localities adhere closely to the main viewpoints, objectives, tasks, and solutions in Resolution 06, implementing them thoroughly and effectively. In particular, attention should be paid to attracting investment and managing the development of the industry according to plans and strategies; and to attracting capable, experienced, reputable, and dedicated investors to implement tourism projects in Binh Thuan province...

The Provincial Party Secretary also requested focused investment in completing the infrastructure system serving tourism development, including expanding the synchronized transportation system and connecting to key areas and points in the province to enhance the attraction of investment in developing new types of services, integrated tourist areas, shopping centers, and large-scale entertainment tourism, in order to attract tourists. Attention should be paid to key tourist destinations in the province. Urban and rural areas should be beautified, clean, modern, and civilized. The people should be friendly and hospitable, especially in maintaining environmental hygiene. Tourism promotion and advertising should be strengthened through media and social networks; methods and content should be innovated to be more attractive and impressive. The Bình Thuận brand should be built and its tourism level elevated.

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