Quang Ninh province takes steps to improve tourism services hinh anh 1Ha Long Bay - one of the must-see destinations in Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh (VNA) – Improving tourism services without increasing prices will make the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh become more attractive to both domestic and foreign holiday-markers, said Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Doc.

As visitors have a wide range of choices of destinations for their holidays, Quang Ninh has to channel more efforts to become alluring to them, he said.

Joining the province’s efforts towards a modern and hospitable tourism locality, Ha Long city is working towards sustainable tourism development and creating a fair competitive environment. Strict surveillance has been carried out to ensure that no goods with unknown origin are sold to the visitors.

Price listing has come under rigorous scrutiny while spontaneous tourism services are banned.

The city is accelerating investment in some beaches in Ha Long Bay, striving to bring Soi Sim beach into operation in the end of June to ease pressure on Titov beach. In addition, it will enhance management of tourism boats, and quality of means of rescue. The moves aim to create satisfaction and ensure safety for tourists.

The tourism sector of Quang Ninh province has been growing at a fast pace in recent years, establishing its important role in the province’s economy and moving towards sustainability.

Quang Ninh is endowed with natural advantages for sea and island tourism. It is home to the Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bays, the Ha Long Bay National Park and some well-known islands like Co To and Van Don.

In particular, Ha Long Bay has been twice recognised as a World Natural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The Heritage site has become a magnet drawing visitors to Quang Ninh.

Besides, Quang Ninh is expanding space for sea and island tourism farther from Ha Long Bay towards islands such as Co To, Van Don and Hai Ha.

Equipped with a strategic vision for developing the sea-based economy, the province in 2014 approved an Overall Plan for tourism development to 2020 with a vision to 2030. Under the scheme, the sea space in Quang Ninh is divided into five zones, which are the strictly preserved Ha Long Bay, the conservation area in Bai Tu Long National Park, the tourism zone, the zone with restricted development to serve national defence and security, and the zone with no development. Each zone, with their specific characteristics, has close links with each other to support the development of sea-based tourism and economy while ensuring national defence and security and serving the province’s sustainable development.

The Overall Plan has made positive impacts on the local tourism sector, helping attract a series of investment projects. Many big investors such as Vingroup, Sun Group, Myway, Tuan Chau and FLC have poured money into tourism infrastructure and entertainment facilities in Quang Ninh.

Also during the 2010-2017 period, the province’s administration issued many directives, resolutions and decisions on concentrating resources on tourism development, especially Resolution 07-NQ/TU dated May 24, 2013 of the provincial Party Committee. At the same time, the provincial authority strengthened leadership and guidance over tourism development.

Guided by the strategic orientations, Quang Ninh’s tourism sector has recorded high growth in the number of visitors, revenue, workforce and service infrastructure.

The province has paid attention to the creation of new tourist products and improvement of service quality. A diverse range of sea and island tours are now available for visitors, from relaxation to entertainment and adventure.

All those efforts have contributed to building and establishing a unique trademark for Quang Ninh sea-based tourism.

In 2017, a total of 9.87 million tourists visited the province, including 4.28 million foreigners. More than 70 percent of the tourists came in sea and island tours.

In 2018, Quang Ninh welcomed more than 10 million visitors, and 4 million of them came from other countries. The province aims to attract over 12 million visitors this year, including 5 million foreigners.-VNA

VNA