The southernmost province of Cà Mau is becoming one of visitors' favourite ecotourism destinations. VNA/VNS Photo by Thành Đạt

CÀ MAU — The southernmost province of Cà Mau plans to develop tourism facilities, services and products to lure visitors and promote tourism.

The province has recently approved a project on the sustainable development of ecotourism at the U Minh Hạ National Park by 2030 relating to the conservation of melaleuca forest growth, ecosystems and biodiversity.

The project will focus on a safari, an herb garden, a traditional craft zone, resorts, entertainment facilities, and transport infrastructure connecting the park with nearby tourism areas such Hòn Đá Bạc and Sông Trẹm.

Its investment capital will be more than VNĐ1.46 trillion (US$61.7 million), including VNĐ58 billion ($2.45 million) from state budget and the remaining from social investment.

In addition, Cà Mau will upgrade the “Mui Ca Mau Tourism” application running on both iOS and Android devices to help tourists to easily approach information on destinations, tourism sites, accommodations, food and beverage services, and entertainment and shopping places.

The province will also focus on the development of new products and services to lure local and foreign visitors, and the promotion of relic sites, traditional rituals and craft villages.

Several cultural and tourism events in the Cà Mau-Destination 2023 programme will be held by the end of this year as well.

The Đất Mũi – Marthon Cà Mau 2023 on November 25 and 26 is expected to attract around 5,000 runners.

The first-ever Shrimp Festival will be held in December to introduce and promote the province’s OCOP (One commune-one product) products.

The festival will feature an exhibition on OCOP products, a culinary competition, and seminars.

Trần Hiếu Hùng, director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the province is focused on promoting tourism on social media platforms and joining tourism promotion activities in HCM City and other provinces to raise people’s knowledge about the province and its potential.

According to the department, in the first half of 2023, Cà Mau welcomed more than 1.65 million visitors, up 36 per cent over the same period last year.

Total tourism revenue was VNĐ1.52 trillion (US$64 million), up 33 per cent compared to the same period last year. – VNS