Why more Tourists Are Coming to Khanh Hoa Province

Why more Tourists Are Coming to Khanh Hoa Province

In 2004, Khanh Hoa has attracted more tourists. The province is not only free from bird flu or SARS, it also has several celebrations and festivals such as Khanh Hoa Culture and Tourism 2004, the Am and  Thap Ba festivals, cultural and tourism week and an international trade fair.

Tourism promotion

Tourism promotion was started from the beginning of the year with the launch of Khanh Hoa Culture and Tourism 2004. The province has mobilised the mass media, businesses and related organisations to participate in the campaign, using every opportunity; exhibitions and trade fairs at home and abroad and distributing programmes and pamphlets on the festivals. In the province, streets are decorated, TV and Radio programmes broadcast, and a film has even been made in English on Nha Trang tourism. The province has also co-ordinated with foreign organisations introducing Khanh Hoa tourism in Austria and Sweden and participating in a trade and tourism seminar in Singapore.

Deserving outcome

As a result of the active promotion campaign, in the first nine months of 2004, Khanh Hoa attracted over 523,000 tourists including 123,000 foreigners, up 25-30 per cent compared to the same period last year. In particular, the revenue increased over 35 per cent and foreign tourists 36 per cent.

Also in these first nine months, Khanh Hoa increased its number of hotel rooms by 220 bringing the total number to 6,000 rooms including those of a 5-star hotel, three 4-star, five 3-star, 21 2-star and 87 1-star hotels. The remaining 96 hotels are economy class with adequate facilities.

The province has 160 registered travel agents including 24 international travel agents. In fact, however, there are only 26 active agents focusing on tourist tours on the islands South of Nha Trang. Some other tours to the Cai River and Van Phong bay are in operation but with limited facilities.

New tourist season prepared

The success of the past has encouraged the province to make better preparations for coming tourist seasons. Programmes of higher quality and efficiency have been designed for the rest of the year and 2005. The province has updated its website on Khanh Hoa tourism and joined AESM CONNECT to provide information to foreign tourists. The province has boosted the training of human resources which it regards as crucial to increase competitiveness.  The province has even planned to establish a tourism school of its own.

Preparation works have also been started for 2005 programmes: celebrations of national days and festivities, an International Conference of the Club of the World's most Beautiful Bays, the Sea Festival 2005 and Nha Trang Destination 2005.

• Phuong Oanh