HÀ NỘI — Travel experts and firms discussed strategies to develop the tourism industry in the central coastal province of Bình Định during a seminar held on Wednesday in Hà Nội.

The province’s highlighted destinations and tour options were presented at the seminar. These  included Cù Lao Xanh Island, vestiges of the ancient Champa kingdom, beautiful beaches such as Kỳ Co, considered the Maldives of Việt Nam, and Eo Gió Pass.

Nguyễn Thị Xuân Lan, vice chairwoman of the Bình Định Provincial Tourism Association, said the local authorities and travel agents had focused on co-operating with partners in the Central Highlands and southern central regions to connect destinations in their regions and create new tour packages for visitors.

Lan suggested that instead of buying flights directly to Quy Nhơn city in Bình Định Province, tourists can save money by flying to Tuy Hoà city in Phú Yên Province, then driving to Quy Nhơn and Pleiku city, Gia Lai Province and departing from Pleiku Airport.

“That’s a convenient way to have extraordinary experiences because tourists can travel to different destinations in the route,” she said.

Trần Thanh Thuỷ from Fidi Tour Company pointed out the fact that in the high season, travel companies struggle to book hotels for large groups of tourists. Lan suggested that as a solution tourists can book rooms at new hotels which will offer favourable prices during their soft opening periods this summer.

“Some 2,000 rooms at hotels and 1,500 rooms at resorts will be available to serve tourists this summer,” said Lan.

“Customers often book rooms at famous hotels which have been already operating for a long time, leading to those properties being over-booked and more expensive. I suggest that tourists can book rooms at new two-star hotels whose quality can be compared with old three-star hotels.”

Bình Định Province’s tourism industry has been building special tours for older people, creating opportunities for elderly travelers to make friends with each other and relax.

“The tour is designed especially for the old people with separate rooms at hotels and resorts to provide a relaxing time and tranquility,” said Lan.

“The customers will have the chance to enjoy food and meditate following the guidance of experts.”

Quy Nhơn is an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists, especially those from Japan and France. In recent years, the average number of tourists coming to Quy Nhơn has increased 20 per cent annually. — VNS