Travel companies pushed for relaxed visa policies to draw more international tourists to Da Nang at a recent tourism forum in the bustling coastal city.

“Vietnam’s tourism is seeing a strong recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, but visa policies present challenges,” Nguyen Son Thuy, director of Visit Indochina Travel Company, said at the 2024 Vietnam Hotel Innovation Technology Exhibition and Forum (Horecfex) in Da Nang on Monday.

Tourism expert Dang Manh Phuoc noted that Vietnam saw rapid growth in the first half of the year, ranking among the top three Southeast Asian markets for international visitors.

Vietnam currently boasts over 38,000 accommodation facilities, with a consistent increase in the number of visitors in recent years.

Many destinations have been revitalized and travel agencies are bringing in tourists, contributing to the industry's resurgence.

Do Thi Hong Xoan, vice-president of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that the World Trade Organization has recognized Vietnam as one of the 10 most developed and diverse tourism markets globally.

Despite this positivity, many businesses feel that visa-related barriers are preventing Vietnam from fully capitalizing on its key markets.

Other countries, such as China and Thailand, have eased visa policies to attract tourists since reopening after the coronavirus pandemic.

Director Thuy emphasized that although Vietnam’s visa policies are adequate, greater flexibility is needed, particularly for high-potential markets.

“We’ve seen a spike in visitors from India and Taiwan, but visa requirements are still challenging travel agencies, though central Vietnam has numerous popular destinations, including the ancient capital of Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An,” said Thuy, whose company operates in 10 major global markets, focusing on Asian travel destinations, including Thailand, the Philippines, India, and South Korea.

He urged local authorities to quickly address these hurdles to attract more visitors.

Thuy also pointed out that Nha Trang, the capital of Khanh Hoa Province in the south-central region, achieved positive results by adopting more relaxed visa policies in the past.

Other representatives at the event praised Da Nang’s continuous efforts to establish itself as a diverse and popular tourist destination.

High-quality events and activities have helped solidify the city’s status as a focal tourism city in central Vietnam.

However, Da Nang’s tourism businesses still face seasonal fluctuations in visitor numbers.

Nguyen Thi Hoai An, deputy director of Da Nang's Department of Tourism, argued that seasonal barriers should not be self-imposed, as each season in the seaside city offers unique attractions.

She stressed that the city is dedicated to offering exciting experiences for tourists throughout the year.

Tran Hoang Linh, a representative of Vietjet in central Vietnam, agreed there is a growing demand for international flights to Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An, with the airplanes arriving consistently full.

He added that Vietnam is becoming increasingly appealing to international travelers, and the budget carrier plans to launch a direct flight to further boost tourism from India.

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