Adapting to “smart tourism”

Tourism - one of the key economic sectors of Binh Thuan is currently focusing on effectively exploiting the potential and advantages of the locality and is facing the opportunity to make a strong breakthrough. However, to achieve the goal of rapid and sustainable development, it is necessary to have appropriate investment in digital technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the entire tourism value chain: from management, marketing, operation to customer experience...

Promoting Binh Thuan destination on digital platforms (Illustration photo).

To contribute to shaping the vision and being ready for deep integration in the digital age, a scientific workshop with the theme "Digital transformation and application of artificial intelligence - Connecting Binh Thuan tourism ecosystem" was recently held in the locality. Here, Mr. Luong Thanh Son - Chairman of the Provincial Union of Science and Technology Associations said that AI brings the ability to process big data, predict tourist behavior, personalize services, optimize operations, manage safety and develop new tourism products. And these are key factors to build a smart, sustainable tourism ecosystem as well as closely connect with the local community.

In fact, in recent years, the application of digital technology in tourism business activities in Vietnam in general and Binh Thuan in particular has been focused on. Such as with online platforms and mobile applications, including: Booking services (air tickets, hotels, tours, sightseeing tickets ...), searching for information, digital maps and directions. In addition, localities and industries also promote the brand and image of tourist destinations through social networks, smart tourism experiences (QR codes, automatic explanations, personalized experiences, electronic payments) ...

Discussing this content, Mr. Nguyen Le Thanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that Binh Thuan is synchronously implementing many specific policies and action programs. Thereby, gradually shifting the tourism industry to the digital environment, forming a smart tourism ecosystem - where each destination, each product and service is digitized, connected and optimized for domestic and foreign tourists. Recently, Binh Thuan has also put into operation the Smart Tourism Information Portal (at the address: muinevietnam.vn) and the mobile application "Binh Thuan Tourism". At the same time, deploying VR360 virtual reality technology to introduce typical attractions such as Duc Thanh School, Po Sah Inu Tower, Van Thuy Tu Palace... creating a vivid and attractive experience for tourists. Or installing QR codes at many relics and scenic spots such as Sand Bay Hill, Duc Thanh School, Thanh Minh Tu... to help users access historical and cultural information through mobile devices quickly. In applying new technology, some businesses operating in the tourism sector have initially integrated chatbots and AI into online consulting services.

However, the application of digital technology locally still has limitations such as the lack of synchronous technology infrastructure between tourist areas and destinations, hindering the implementation of digital utilities. Or there is a lack of high-quality human resources with expertise in technology and the ability to deploy digital solutions in businesses, and investment funds for digitalization do not meet the requirements of synchronous development...

Therefore, the locality needs to create a mechanism to encourage businesses to invest in digital transformation. Especially in applying advanced technologies such as AI, Big Data, blockchain technology, cloud computing... in management, operation, trend analysis and building digital tourism products. In addition to financial, technical and training support policies to help businesses reduce the pressure of technology investment costs, it is also important to build industry databases, upgrade digital infrastructure at key destinations in the province... Thereby maximizing the potential of digital technology, contributing to the industry's timely adaptation to "smart tourism" and rapid, sustainable development.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/thich-ung-voi-du-lich-thong-minh-130402.html