On Wednesday, a meeting of representatives from Da Nang’s travel agencies, transport services providers and local tourist areas took place in the city.  Organised by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event was in response to the city’s “Year for Businesses 2014” programme.

Over recent years, the city has been honoured with many prestigious tourism awards which have helped to attract more visitors to the city.  Local tourism promotion activities, however, have not been effective.  As a result, the city’s tourism name has not attracted enough attention from foreign visitors.  Da Nang’s tourism sector is currently focusing on expanding the city’s overseas tourist markets as well attracting more European and American tourists.

Tourists enjoy a city tour by cyclo

At the meeting, the participants discussed ways to help local travel companies overcome their difficulties as well as to boost the city’s tourism promotion and enhance local travel companies’ competitiveness in international markets.  As a result, the city will attach more importance to helping local travel companies to participate in international fairs, and give more funding to ensure sustainable tourism promotion in the city’s major tourist markets over the coming years. 

Moreover, special attention will be paid to ensuring closer links between local authorities and travel companies through dialogue and tourism support policies.  In addition, the city will issue other preferential policies relating to land lease fee reductions for travel companies and train more human resources for the local tourism sector.  Local authorities will also facilitate the operation of local coach providers and also impose strict penalties on illegal tourism activities.