Quang Ngai focuses on nature-oriented tourism products. (Photo: VGP/Luu Huong)

Tourism potential and opportunities

In 2023 alone, Quang Ngai welcomed more than 1 million visitors, an increase of 64% over the same period, of which international visitors reached 15,200, an increase of 38%. Revenue reached over 1 trillion VND, an increase of 45% over the same period.

During the Lunar New Year 2024, the total number of visitors to Quang Ngai reached more than 100,000, an increase of 2.8 times, with total revenue reaching 57 billion VND, an increase of 3.5 times over the same period.

Typical tourist areas and attractions in Quang Ngai include Minh Duc Pagoda, Minh Tan Beach, My Khe, Ganh Yen, Bau Ca Cai, Ca Ninh Coconut Forest, and Nghia Ha Flower Village.

The province has 18 travel businesses, about 380 accommodation establishments, two provincial-level tourist areas (My Khe, Ly Son) and three recognised tourist destinations (White Waterfall, Minh Tan and Quang Ngai Ancient Citadel).

Recently, Quang Ngai tourism has focused on three main product lines, including sea and island tourism, cultural tourism and eco-tourism. However, the quality of tourism services is still weak, not meeting the increasing needs of tourists; tourism products are still poor, and there are no typical products; and strong products are still in potential form, not yet developed and utilising all resources.

Green and unique local tourism products are needed. (Photo: VGP/Luu Huong)

In particular, the type of island tourism is still influenced by seasonality, many beaches are empty in the winter but overcrowded in the summer, leading to environmental consequences. On the other hand, island tourism products are often associated with high-end resorts, and the local competitiveness of this type cannot be compared to neighbouring provinces and cities, so Quang Ngai needs to redefine its typical tourism products that can be exploited effectively, which is community-based tourism and rural tourism.

Retaining the rustic character of the countryside

According to tourism units in the province, to help community-based and rural tourism develop sustainably, create jobs, increase income for people, and at the same time preserve culture and nature, it is necessary to retain the rustic and unique features of the countryside as much as possible.

“There is no need to invest too much to expand roads and bridges, but pay attention to developing soft infrastructure to create comfort and convenience for tourists such as resting places, sightseeing places and check-in points, for example, rice fields and Sa Huynh salt fields”, said a representative of Cocotravel.

According to the Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Tien Dung, making tourism a key economic sector is a process that takes a lot of time to implement. The most important thing is to change the perception of tourism, which is that tourism development is for economic purposes, and this is the responsibility of the whole system, not just the tourism sector.

Recently, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai province established a working group to develop community-based and rural tourism. In addition, it has also closely followed the Resolutions of the Provincial People's Council on supporting the development of rural tourist destinations and rural tourism products with regional characteristics; support the development and implementation of a pilot model for developing rural tourism towards green, responsible and sustainable tourism.

In 2024, Quang Ngai province will organise many special events to attract tourists, especially in April and May, with a Culture, Sports and Tourism Week; a workshop on tourism development of Asia's most beautiful bays and islands in Ly Son Island District; international sailing and stand-up paddleboard racing tournament at My Khe Beach; International paragliding championship and hot air balloon festival in Ly Son Island.

Luu Huong - Translated by NDO