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The meeting was technically supported by the Project “Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Development Programme” (EU-ESRT Project, funded by the European Union).
At the meeting, the Head of the International Advisory Group of the EU-ESRT Project, Ms. Mary McKeon, contributed technical comments with the presentation “Enhancing the promotion and effective implementation of the National Tourism Year 2017”, including assessments of the implementation activities of the National Tourism Year proposed by 8 provinces. At the same time, good examples of National Tourism Year practices in the world from Malaysia, Korea and Europe were also introduced by experts to provide useful practical lessons for the Northwestern provinces when implementing the Program.
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Meeting to deploy the 2017 national tourism year program in the extended Northwest region
Expert Mary McKeon emphasized that in order for the National Tourism Year 2017 Program to achieve the best results, it is necessary to give top priority to the events of the year, connect with the sub-themes and organize at least one new event to make an impression. In addition, it is necessary to connect key events according to product lines, put events into the main event program and each quarter needs to have at least two events of international scale.
Experts also noted that localities need to increase the participation of the business sector, promote marketing activities by doing a good job of destination marketing, building a more attractive and appealing brand identity... In addition, to be able to enhance the influence of the National Tourism Year, provinces should focus on the three years 2016, 2017 and 2018 with activities carried out in three stages: Preparation, Implementation and Making an Impression.
In 2016, the EU-ESRT Project supported the Northwestern provinces to expand their participation in the VITM 2016 International Tourism Fair in Hanoi and organized a Press Conference within the framework of the Fair to announce activities in 2016 as well as events in the National Tourism Year 2017 of the 8 provinces.
Under the auspices of the Northwest Steering Committee and the sponsorship of the Vietnam Tourism Association and Vietnam Airlines, the “Northwest Tourism” booth at VITM 2016 has an area of nearly 500 square meters, helping to promote the Northwest tourism brand and introduce responsible tourism to potential domestic tourists.
The exhibition booth is designed with the characteristics of the Northwest region with majestic nature, diverse culture, heroic history and friendly and hospitable people. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about tourism products and services in the region, shop for handicrafts and local specialties, and enjoy unique cultural and artistic performances of the Northwest people.
In 2008, eight provinces of the extended Northwest region, including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau and Ha Giang, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Tourism Development to reasonably exploit the tourism potential of the localities and promote tourism growth in the whole region. Cooperation activities were implemented in terms of policy mechanisms, tourism product development, human resource training and promotion. The extended Northwest region was identified by the EU-ESRT Project as one of five key areas to support responsible tourism development, along with Quang Ninh (Ha Long), the North Central region, the Central Coast and the Mekong Delta.
