Promoting Indian tourism in the South Central Coast provinces of Vietnam

250 delegates who are tourism managers from the provinces of Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and Khanh Hoa attended the Conference to promote Indian tourism in the South Central provinces.

Indian delegates learn about tourism products of the South Central provinces within the framework of the conference. (Photo: Tien Minh/VNA)

In order to promote Indian tourism in the South Central provinces, Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism and the Indian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City collaborated on August 19 to host a conference in Nha Trang.

250 tourism delegates from Vietnamese provinces of Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and Khanh Hoa attended the conference. These companies work in the travel and service industries. More than 50 significant Indian tourism companies were present.

The conference focused on introducing and promoting tourism potentials and strengths of the South Central provinces of Vietnam as well as of India; the plan of connecting direct flights between India and Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa); strengthening the cooperation and trade relations between the parties, display, promote and introduce each other’s tourism products…

Deputy General Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism – Mr. Pham Van Thuy emphasized that in the trend of international economic integration, Vietnam and India also have great potential that can complement each other for development, including the tourism sector. Tourism between the two countries has had many cooperation activities, creating favorable conditions to attract tourists, and opening many direct flights connecting major cities between Vietnam and India.

There should be 21 routes with more than 60 flights each week connecting the two nations by the end of 2022. The best conditions for promoting tourism development between two countries are convenient direct flights, easy visa procedures, appealing tourism items, and kind and hospitable citizens of the two countries.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hai, Vietnamese Ambassador in India, said that the connection between India and Vietnam has never been as strong as it is today. Visitors to the two countries are very interested in each other’s tourism market. Both countries need to take synchronous measures to promote tourism development such as promoting and introducing each country’s tourism potential; promote the establishment of new direct flights.

Vietnamese tourism businesses need to evaluate India as a large market and must give it a priority. In contrast, Indian tourism businesses should consider Vietnam in general and the South Central provinces as attractive destinations on the tourist map. Through tourism, it is possible to further tighten the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

At the conference, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma said that Khanh Hoa in particular, and the South Central provinces, in general, have great potential to become important tourist destinations for Indian tourists. He hopes that Vietnamese people consider India as an interesting destination in their travel journey. The strong connection and sharing between the two sides are creating opportunities for tourism promotion between India and Vietnam.

Representatives of the tourism industry of the provinces of Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and Khanh Hoa briefly introduced the potential and strengths of local tourism to Indian partners at the conference. Most of these localities have strengths in sea and island tourism; a long-standing traditional culture, rich and diverse cuisine, and well-developed tourism infrastructure, which can meet the needs of millions of Indian tourists every year.

Particularly in Khanh Hoa, there are currently over 1,140 tourist accommodation establishments with more than 52,000 rooms, of which 96 are 3-5 star standard with nearly 23,000 rooms. Binh Dinh province has over 390 accommodation establishments with more than 12,000 rooms, of which nearly 3,400 rooms belong to 3-5 star hotels…

Representative of the Association of Indian Tour Operators Vishal Yadav shared the highlights of India’s tourism, a country with a large area and the second largest population in the world. It is a beautiful, majestic landscape; with rich cuisine, a thriving film industry, traditional festivals, and unique cultural identities… of which the highlight is the strength of spiritual tourism. Every visitor to India will find something interesting for him or her.

Through the conference, the delegates of the two countries in general and the South Central provinces, in particular, all expected that after the COVID-19 epidemic is controlled, the establishment of a direct route from major Indian cities to the airport. Cam Ranh International is really necessary for Indian tourists to come to the South Central provinces.

In contrast, Indian tourism businesses wish to expand the market of tourists from the South Central region of Vietnam to India for sightseeing and relaxation.

Source: Vietnam+