Over 26,000 Indonesians visited Da Nang, a city on the central coast of Vietnam, in 2023, accounting for about 25 percent of the Indonesian arrivals to the country, the Da Nang tourism promotion agency said on Thursday.

Indonesia, the world’s fourth-largest country by population with over 280 million citizens, is seen as a potential tourism source market for the Vietnamese city, according to the Da Nang Department of Tourism.

The Da Nang tourism promotion agency is focusing on diversifying tourism source markets, particularly from Muslim nations, said a representative from the municipal tourism department.

Recently, the city has introduced several tourism products to the Indonesian market and made it a priority to ensure Halal options at tourist accommodations and venues. 

Besides, Da Nang International Airport opened a prayer room for Muslim guests in late 2023.

Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Solutions for Attracting Indonesian Travelers and Promoting Route from Indonesia to Da Nang’ on Wednesday, Pauline Suharno, chair of the Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO), said domestic and international flights in Indonesia have recovered to over 90 percent of their capacity since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indonesian travel demand is high, with the majority prefering to tour new tourist destinations and high-end tourism services, she said, adding that the market is not particularly picky even though Halal-friendly services are a major appeal.

During the seminar, 35 ASTINDO members who are participating in an ongoing FAM trip for Indonesians through Friday to Da Nang discussed solutions to make use of flights linking Indonesia and Vietnam and plans to open direct air routes between the country and Da Nang.

Guests on the trip have visited multiple tourist sites in Da Nang, experienced a host of typical tourism products and services, and learned about the city’s tourism potential.

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