Digitalization of tourism in Yen Bai

Overview of tourism in Yen Bai

Yen Bai is a mountainous province in northern Vietnam, notable for its scenic landscapes, historical sites, and community-based tourism activities, such as Mu Cang Chai with its magnificent terraced rice fields and ethnic minority villages, or the famous Thac Ba Lake area. However, the tourism industry in Yen Bai province still faces many challenges, especially in promoting and connecting tourists with potential destinations.

Before the digitalization process began, Yen Bai's tourism industry relied primarily on traditional promotional methods such as posters, brochures, event organization, or travel agencies. However, limited access to digital media and a lack of modern support tools meant that the tourism potential remained untapped. Therefore, the application of digital technology to tourism activities became an urgent necessity.

The digitalization process of tourism in Yen Bai: Initial steps

Recognizing the need for innovation to boost the tourism industry, Yen Bai has begun implementing various digital solutions. One of the highlights is the development of online platforms , including an official tourism website and mobile applications, to provide comprehensive and easily accessible tourism information for visitors.

The province's tourism website, which integrates information on destinations, accommodation, cuisine, and tour programs, has become an important tool to help tourists easily plan their trips. Mobile tourism applications such as "Yen Bai Travel" or smart map applications have helped tourists easily search for attractions, guesthouses, hotels, and cultural activities, thereby enhancing their experience.

Application of Digital Technology in Tourism Management

A key element in the digitalization of tourism in Yen Bai is the application of smart tourism management technologies . Provincial authorities have implemented a tourist management system using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software to track and nurture customer relationships, thereby developing more effective promotional strategies.

This management system helps track information about tourists, including booking history, preferences, favorite attractions, and services they have used. From this, the tourism industry can suggest travel packages tailored to each customer group, while simultaneously enhancing satisfaction and retaining customers long-term.

Furthermore, the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies is also a crucial step in digitizing tourism in Yen Bai. These applications allow tourists to experience the province's famous landmarks without having to visit them in person. This not only helps protect cultural heritage but also attracts the attention of tourists remotely, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which reduced the possibility of in-person travel.

Enhancing tourism promotion through digital channels.

To attract tourists, Yen Bai has boldly used social media and online platforms to promote tourism. Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have been fully utilized to build an image of Yen Bai tourism. Engaging travel videos, beautiful images of scenic spots, and unique cultural stories of ethnic minorities in Yen Bai are widely shared.

Yen Bai also collaborates with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and popular travel websites to enhance the promotion of the province's destinations. Media campaigns on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook have helped Yen Bai reach a large number of young tourists and those interested in exploring new and lesser-known places.

Smart tourism: The future of tourism in Yen Bai.

With the development of technology, Yen Bai is aiming to build smart tourism in the future. This is not simply about applying technology in management, but also about creating superior tourism experiences, helping tourists maximize the potential of technology to enhance the quality of their trips.

Specifically, Yen Bai is implementing a smart tourism system , where tourists can use mobile applications to search for information, book tours, make electronic payments, or even participate in online tours. These solutions not only improve the tourist experience but also promote the sustainable development of the local tourism industry.

In addition, Yen Bai is also developing digital tourism products such as travel e-books, virtual tours, and digital souvenirs, thereby creating a deeper connection between tourists and destinations.

Despite significant progress in digitizing tourism, Yen Bai still faces several challenges. One major difficulty is the limited internet coverage in mountainous and remote areas, which affects tourists' access to online tourism information and services.

Furthermore, training and capacity building for human resources in the tourism industry, especially in technology usage and online tourism management skills, is a crucial factor in ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.

The digitalization of tourism in Yen Bai is a positive step in improving service quality and promoting the province's tourism. With the application of new technologies, from smart visitor management to online tourism promotion, Yen Bai is gradually asserting its position on the Vietnamese tourism map. However, to achieve the goal of smart tourism and sustainable development, Yen Bai needs to continue investing in digital infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of the local tourism community, in order to create perfect tourism experiences for domestic and international tourists.

Source: https://mic.gov.vn/so-hoa-du-lich-yen-bai-197241213093642456.htm