Lam Dong Province Focuses on Training Workforce for Tourism Development

Lam Dong province has recognized tourism as a driving economic force pushing the development of other branches. In 2001 – 2005, annual tourist numbers grew on average 17.2 per cent, to 1,560,972 tourists in 2005. Tourism products and services have been upgraded on amount and quality. However, the current level of tourism does not match the province’s potential; tourism products are still monotonous, having a similar look in different locations; tourism cadres still do not meet the requirements on professionalism, foreign languages and international laws; and tourism companies still have limited management capacity and no ability to access global markets.

 

So to speed up tourism industry growth lift tourism competitiveness, the province has focused on building a sound tourism environment, protecting natural landscapes and tourism resources and upgrading tourism services. Da Lat city is home to beautiful landscapes with dreamlike features and a cool climate all year. It has gained the famed name “the flower city”, but its attractions are not what they could be. So Lam Dong province and Da Lat city has prepared restoration plans for landscapes, protection of pine forests, conservation of the special architectural features of Da Lat city, restoration of lakes, waterfalls, streams, and hills with their own romantic features and , specially, development of thousands of precious and natural flower kinds , so that Da Lat will truly become a remarkable flower city that no other can compete with.

 

For tourism development, the province has focused on building a healthy business environment, securing the prestige and high quality of tourism products, offering fair prices, showing friendly and hospitable relations with  clients so that they will keep coming back after the first arrival. At the same time, the province encourages investment and building a modern city and improves city management, to develop the community’s pride about their flower city. The better living environment is certainly the foundation for sustainable tourism development. Then the province’s tourism will become more attractive and   meet international tourism standards. Currently, there are 90 tourism projects are ready to invest in the province, including projects with foreign capital. This is the good sign for the province’s tourism development in coming years.

The key issue is to prepare professional tourism cadres. At present, the province’s tourism cadres are unable to meet the requirements for tourism development, as Vietnam takes part in global economic integration. Tourism in Vietnam, and Lam Dong province in particular, needs professional tourism staff with excellent knowledge of foreign languages. High class tourism also needs better managers with a good understanding about the market and how to operate under WTO rules.

 

Lam Dong province has prepared plans to meet the targets mentioned above and encouraged investors to take part in training tourism staff for the province. This is a necessary step to boost the tourism industry.