(TITC) - On 19 July 2014, within a three-day famtrip program, the Viet Nam Society of Travel Agents (VISTA) in coordination with Ninh Binh Department of Culture, Sports & Tourism held a seminar on tourism product development of Ninh Binh.
The seminar had presence of Deputy General Secretary of VISTA, Mr. Pham Manh Cuong; Deputy Director of Ninh Binh Department of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Ms. Duong Thi Thanh; representatives of some provincial departments of Culture, Sports & Tourism, tourism associations, tourism enterprises and media agencies.
Ninh Binh is endowed with great tourism potential with some very well-known attractions, namely Tam Coc – Bich Dong, Cuc Phuong National Park, Trang An Grottoes, Van Long Nature Reserves, in addition to many historical relics, for instance Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, Bich Dong Pagoda, Thai Vi Temple, Phat Diem Cathedral, Tam Diep Defense Line. Especially, Trang An eco-tourism complex has been recognized as World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO since 23 June 2014, affirming position of Ninh Binh tourism and attracting more tourists to the province.
In 2013, Ninh Binh welcomed around 4.5 million arrivals, of which int’l tourists was 520,000 arrivals. Ninh Binh is striving to receive 4.8 million arrivals including 600,000 int’l arrivals in 2014. Currently, Ninh Binh tourism is concentrating on developing advantageous tourism products such as sightseeing, cave discovery, MICE tourism, pilgrimage, and especially community-based tourism which is very attractive to int’l tourists with experiences of local daily life.
The participants spoke highly of tourism potential of Trang An eco-tourism complex in particular and Ninh Binh Province in general. To take full advantage of these potentials, the provincial tourism sector needs to implement comprehensive solutions to develop Ninh Binh into a spiritual and eco-tourism destination and focus on tourism environment protection. Some suggested local boat rowers should be trained as tour guides who are capable of introducing about the beauty of attractions to tourists.
Meanwhile, the province should push up investment in developing entertainment services, creating new tourism products in order to prolong stays of tourists, which would benefit livings of local people.
Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Director of Ninh Binh Department of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Ms. Duong Thi Thanh appreciated participants’ suggestions which could be very helpful for Ninh Binh in the process of sustainable tourism development in the coming time.
Thanh Tam