International visitors increased 62 times compared to 2022
According to the report of the Department of Tourism of Da Nang city, in the first quarter of 2023, the total number of visitors served by accommodation establishments is estimated at 1.4 million, an increase of more than 4.6 times compared to the same period in 2022; of which international visitors are estimated at 391,600, an increase of 62 times compared to the same period in 2022; domestic visitors are estimated at 1.032 million, an increase of 3.4 times compared to the same period in 2022.
Data from the City Statistics Office shows that the average number of overnight stays for visitors in the first quarter is estimated at about 1.66 days/visit, of which international visitors are 2.05 days/visit; domestic visitors are 1.43 days/visit. "Overall, the number of visitors has reached the 2019 milestone, which shows that the internal strength of the destination, tourism products and tourism ecosystem of Da Nang are being promoted very well" - Mr. Cao Tri Dung commented.
Tourists have returned to Da Nang by sea. Photo: Thuy Trang
One of the factors leading to the increase in tourists, especially foreign tourists, to Da Nang is that in a short time, many international flights have been resumed. For example, the route from Narita (Japan) to Da Nang is operated by Vietnam Airlines with a frequency of 4 flights/week and will increase to 7 flights/week from July 1. Japan is one of the potential markets for Da Nang tourism. Before the pandemic, in 2019, the total number of Japanese visitors to Da Nang reached more than 183,000, an increase of nearly 200% compared to 2015 (92,000).
Along with the flight route from Japan, the flight route from Vientiane (Laos) to Da Nang has also been officially put into operation by Lao Airlines with a frequency of 2 flights/week on Thursdays and Sundays.
And up to this point, Da Nang has 16 regular international flights operated by 20 airlines, the frequency of international flights is estimated at more than 280 flights/week (average 40 flights/day) with more than 560,000 international passengers.
New markets, new products
Not only by air, international visitors also come to Da Nang by sea. Statistics from the city's Department of Tourism show that in the first quarter of 2023, Da Nang welcomed 9 cruise ships with 7,300 passengers arriving at Tien Sa port. These cruise ships are operated by Saigon Tourist Travel Services Company Limited in Da Nang, Tan Hong Trade and Tourism Company Limited in Ho Chi Minh City, Pacific Legend Travel and Services Company Limited...
The number of international visitors returning to Da Nang in 2019 is a good sign. However, according to Mr. Cao Tri Dung, in the long term, Da Nang also needs to add new tourism products to meet the increasingly high demands of tourists.
Tourist attractions welcome a large number of visitors
According to a representative of a travel agency specializing in exploiting cruise passengers, cruise passengers from international markets, including the European market, have begun to return to Da Nang. Basically, services for this market in the city are currently stable, ensuring security, order and safety for guests at the destination is quite good. However, in the long term, it will take time for operators to grasp visitors' feedback on services at the destination, from which to make more practical assessments and adjustments, making it easier to attract guests.
According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Binh, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Da Nang City, in the near future, the industry will prepare to organize tourism promotion in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia; complete the plan to organize the Enjoy Summer Festival in Da Nang... Along with that, the department continues to develop projects on tourism product development; submit to the City People's Committee a plan to develop cuisine into a tourism product in Da Nang City in the period of 2023-2030; coordinate with the People's Committee of Son Tra District to develop a pilot plan to organize services, serving night tourism on Nguyen Van Troi Bridge and the park on the east bank of Nguyen Van Troi Bridge; coordinate with the People's Committee of Hai Chau District to develop a plan to organize a pilot Bach Dang - Tran Hung Dao Walking Street; organize decorations to create check-in points to serve tourists...
