Product development helps An Giang tourism to break through

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Nghi - Director of Ben Thanh Tourist Branch in Can Tho, An Giang possesses a "valuable asset" that is rare anywhere else: The long-standing coexistence of three Khmer, Chinese, and Cham communities in the border area. This is not only a cultural value but also a strategic advantage for developing community tourism in a sustainable direction. Mr. Nghi proposed the Mekong border color model at the cultural intersection. The model emphasizes that tourists not only come to visit but also directly participate in creating products with the community, from learning to make Khmer rice cakes, weaving Cham brocade (with QR codes to trace the origin), to experiencing wearing traditional costumes like the locals.

Ta Pa Lake seen from above. Photo: MINH DIEN

Taking advantage of digital technology , Mr. Nghi said that An Giang can apply VR/AR to restore culture and relic space, such as recreating the Oc Eo site, building Khmer, Chinese, Cham villages with 3D models or building historical experiences through VR glasses. This will be a breakthrough step to help digitize heritage, modernize experiences and globalize promotion work. A major tourist route has also been proposed called "Multi-ethnic border journey", connecting Bay Nui - Chau Doc Ong Chuong islet to create a seamless chain of cultural values in a journey of discovery.

From another perspective, Mr. Le Trung Hieu - former Deputy Director of the An Giang Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion emphasized the potential of archaeological tourism, especially the Oc Eo - Ba The cultural relic system, which has been recognized as a special national relic since 2012 and is in the process of completing the dossier to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a world cultural heritage. To exploit effectively, Mr. Hieu said that An Giang needs to continue investing in infrastructure and tourism services; strengthen heritage conservation and education. At the same time, develop specialized products such as archaeological tours, field trips combined with pottery making experiences, handicrafts, mountain climbing and hiking to explore the hills. Ecological, agricultural and community tourism activities also need to be integrated to enhance the experience. Localities must promote, market and support the development of traditional craft villages to form a sustainable value chain.

Ms. Le Dinh Minh Thy - Director of Vietravel Can Tho branch pointed out 4 strategic product groups that An Giang needs to exploit, including: Spiritual - cultural tourism; ecological tourism in the flood season; border - trade tourism; community tourism associated with heritage conservation. Based on these advantages, Ms. Thy proposed a series of new linked tours such as the journey "From That Son to the pearl sea", combining a visit to Ba Chua Xu temple in Sam mountain, climbing Cam mountain, exploring Tra Su cajuput forest before connecting to Ha Tien and Phu Quoc resort; or "Spiritual colors and sea and sky" with the experience of the Cham community in Bung Binh Thien, visiting Chau Doc fish village, exploring Ha Tien and cruising to watch the sunset on the sea. The caravan tour "Border - sea route" connecting Long Xuyen - Chau Doc - Tinh Bien - Ha Tien - Rach Gia - Phu Quoc is also considered a product that can increase the length of stay, combining border trade and high-class beach resorts.

Experts, travel agencies and management agencies all agree that in order for the above ideas to come into reality, An Giang needs to soon complete its transport infrastructure, services, build a synchronous tourism brand, promote digital transformation and promote sustainable development associated with the community and the environment. Tourism human resources need to be upgraded in the direction of professionalism, technology savvy and the ability to tell stories and promote on digital platforms. The connection between businesses, authorities and schools in training practical human resources will be a key condition to increase the competitiveness of An Giang tourism in the integration period.

To promote the tourism industry to develop strongly after the merger of administrative units, the Department of Culture and Sports said it is comprehensively evaluating existing products to determine appropriate investment directions. The province will continue to review and propose investment in a synchronous and modern infrastructure system; promote the application of technology in market management and forecasting; strengthen regional and international links for more effective promotion. At the same time, training and development of high-quality human resources will be focused on to meet the development and integration requirements of the tourism industry in the new period.

MINH DIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phat-trien-san-pham-giup-du-lich-an-giang-but-pha-a466972.html