Hội An has seen a drop in tourist arrivals due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Photo from vietnamtourism.gov.vn

CENTRAL REGION The Central provinces are working on new promotions to revive the tourism industry which has been hit by the novel corona virus COVID-19 outbreak.

Cao Trí Dũng, chairman of the Đà Nẵng Tourism Association, said: “The city will collaborate with Quảng Nam and Thừa Thiên-Huế provinces to launch a promotion programme in March to pull visitors back to the Central region.”

He said that hundreds of tourism agencies in the region had agreed to take part in the programme, which focuses on improving service quality and creating new tourism products.

The associations have asked local authorities to provide tax exemptions to tourism agencies to help reduce their losses.

According to the Đà Nẵng Tourism Department, from March to May, the city will open new direct flights to Laos, Russia and India, which are considered markets with high potential.

Due to the current global epidemic, the number of arrivals to Đà Nẵng has fallen by 50 per cent, mostly tourists from Asian countries.

Quảng Nam Province is facing challenges because the number of visitors, particularly foreigners, is expected to drop significantly this month.

Nguyễn Văn Sơn, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee of Hội An City, said: “The deep fall in tourist arrivals in Hội An has caused losses to accommodation businesses, service providers and tourism agencies.”

Dũng of the Đà Nẵng Tourism Association said: “Although the situation is getting worse, central provinces are planning tourism promotions to attract visitors when the Covid-19 epidemic ends.”

Khánh Hòa Province is focusing on the markets of Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia and India.

Hoàng Văn Vĩnh, chairman of the province’s Tourism Association, said: “The association is working with the provincial Tourism Department to seek new markets.”

Beaches and attractions in the province have re-opened to welcome visitors after temporary closure due to the desease.

Vĩnh said: “The Central region is a safe destination. One person in this region was infected with COVID-19, but was discharged from the hospital on February 4.” VNS