(Cadn.com.vn) - On December 13, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with Duy Tan University and the Department of Hospitality Management at San Jose State University (USA), organized the International Conference on "Da Nang Tourism Development." The event brought together nearly 200 researchers and leaders from tourism enterprises. At the conference, numerous opinions and ideas were presented to help find a new direction for developing Da Nang's tourism sector.

Delegates attending the conference.

Da Nang is considered an important transit hub on the Central Heritage Route, boasting famous landmarks such as Ba Na, Son Tra, Tien Sa, Non Nuoc... and has been dubbed the "Most Liveable City." Consequently, Da Nang has become an indispensable destination on tourists' journeys to explore Vietnam and Asia in recent years. Mr. Huynh Duc Tho – Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee – stated: "It is not just now that we are developing tourism; we have been doing so for decades—since the early days when the city still turned its back on the sea. Over nearly 20 years, alongside the rapid development of infrastructure and the economy, tourism has grown accordingly. We have focused on investment and selected tourism as a spearhead economic sector; today, Da Nang sees the presence of the world's leading tourism brands. In recent years, Da Nang has risen to hold high rankings on the global tourism map."

However, despite its recognized development, Da Nang tourism is encountering shortcomings that remain disproportionate to its potential. According to statistics, the contribution of entertainment services to GDP remains low, and the sector's production value is still limited compared to the local potential and advantages.

The proportion of labor participating in entertainment activities has only reached 13–14%, and entertainment venues—especially for nightlife—are neither abundant nor of sufficient scale to serve tourists. Therefore, how to develop Da Nang tourism and in which direction to match its existing advantages were key issues raised by many delegates at the conference.

Dr. Tsu Hong Yen, Chair of the Department of Hospitality Management at San Jose State University (USA), drew from tourism development experience in Las Vegas—a world-famous entertainment and tourism center in the US—to demonstrate that: "Entertainment is an important service for tourists. It provides solutions to the question of 'what to do' at a destination, especially during evening hours. Therefore, Da Nang needs to define its vision for tourism sector development, invest in building entertainment types that meet tourists' expectations, and offer its own distinct shows grounded in local culture."

Da Nang possesses many geographical and natural advantages to develop tourism.

Tourism development cannot occur in isolation. In this case, to retain tourists for longer stays, regional linkages among multiple provinces and cities are essential, especially with localities neighboring Da Nang. Mr. Truong Nam Thang, an expert from the Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Project, expressed his view: "Da Nang must truly value the assets of its two neighboring localities, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam, requiring a tight, effective, and sustainable cooperation model among the three provinces. At the same time, Da Nang should proactively step up to play the 'engine' role of the region in connection with investing in expanding its international airport and seaport, collaborating to open more direct flights and charter flights from key tourist-generating markets, improving the quality of tourism products and services, and enhancing demand stimulation without encouraging price cuts. The city should create a safe, healthy, and friendly environment while encouraging businesses to offer eco-friendly service products. Furthermore, marine and island tourism products should be developed in conjunction with activities to improve the marine environment and step up high-quality, internationally integrated tourism human resource training."

Sharing this viewpoint, Dr. Nguyen Van Hung – Vice Director of the Da Nang Institute for Socio-Economic Development Research – argued that Da Nang's tourism potential is tied to the South Central Coast region; hence, it is necessary to enhance reasonable regional connectivity, build a sound strategic vision, and establish a unified development perspective. This includes executing inter-provincial and inter-city projects to create synergy across the entire South Central Coast tourism route.

City leaders also recognized that Da Nang's tourism resources remain modest. Without proper planning, correct development strategies, suitable solutions, capable investors, and methodical master planning, these valuable resources risk being damaged and lost.

Therefore, in its tourism development policies, Da Nang gives special priority to choosing appropriate steps, plans, and solutions to utilize its resources rationally. "We realize that we still have shortcomings in master planning for tourism resources, strategy, branding, and image promotion. Thus, we always listen to feedback and seek to gradually overcome these drawbacks to develop tourism sustainably," Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Huynh Duc Tho affirmed, adding that expert contributions will serve as an important channel for building and developing Da Nang tourism.

Source: http://cadn.com.vn/news/113_124767_ho-i-tha-o-quo-c-te-pha-t-trie-n-du-li-ch-da-na-ng-them-ke-sa-ch-de-pha-t-trie-n.aspx