Da Nang, Vietnam – The city of Da Nang has launched a comprehensive promotional campaign aimed at attracting more South Korean tourists, recognizing the market as a cornerstone for its tourism industry. The initiative, kicked off with a partnership event in Seoul on May 29th, signals Da Nang’s commitment to bolstering its appeal to visitors from South Korea through a series of incentives and expanded offerings.
Da Nang Identifies South Korea as a Key Strategic Market
The promotional drive, titled ‘Da Nang Tourism Promotion Partnership Gala,’ was held at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event saw the participation of key figures from both Vietnamese and South Korean tourism sectors, including Vu Ho, the Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea, and Van Ba Son, Deputy Director of Da Nang’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Representatives from the Korea Tourism Organization and various industry stakeholders also attended, underscoring the collaborative nature of this effort.
Ambassador Vu Ho highlighted the long-standing significance of South Korea as a crucial international tourism market for Da Nang. He presented compelling statistics, revealing that approximately 823,000 South Korean tourists visited Da Nang between January and April of the current year. This figure represents about 22% of all international visitors to the city and nearly half of all South Koreans who visited Vietnam during the same period. “South Korea has long been Da Nang’s most important overseas tourism market,” Ambassador Ho stated, emphasizing the deep connection and potential for further growth.
The Ambassador further pledged continued support, stating, “We will continue to cooperate closely with the government, local authorities, and businesses to expand exchanges between the peoples of our two nations and actively support cooperation in the tourism sector.” This commitment reflects a broader strategy to foster deeper bilateral ties through tourism.
Expanding Tourism Products and Enhancing Accessibility
Van Ba Son, Deputy Director of Da Nang’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, outlined the city’s strategic plans to invigorate its tourism offerings. “Da Nang City will expand cooperation with airlines, travel agencies, online platforms, media, and Korean investors to develop new tourism products and expand flight routes,” he announced. This multi-faceted approach aims to create a more robust and appealing tourism ecosystem for South Korean visitors.
Da Nang is actively diversifying its tourism portfolio to cater to a wide range of interests. The city is focusing on developing and promoting various tourism products, including coastal resorts, golf tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), weddings, wellness retreats, and culinary experiences. This expansion is driven by the recognition of South Korea as a core strategic market, with plans to enhance promotions through digital platforms and specifically target MICE and wedding tourism segments.
Incentives and Special Offers for Korean Visitors
To further entice South Korean travelers, Da Nang is introducing several tangible incentives. Starting July 1st and running through December 31st, the city will offer a 20% reduction on check-in counter usage fees at the international terminal of Da Nang International Airport for all international airlines. This measure is designed to lower operational costs for carriers, potentially leading to more competitive airfares for tourists.
Additionally, special attention is being paid to the upcoming Chuseok holiday period in South Korea. From September 23rd to 26th, Da Nang plans to provide welcome gifts for Korean tourists. Customized tourism packages tailored for families and couples will also be introduced, aiming to enhance the travel experience and cater to specific visitor demographics during this popular holiday season.
Strengthening Bilateral Tourism Ties
In parallel with these promotional efforts, Da Nang is also solidifying its partnerships within South Korea. The city has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Busan Tourism Organization to strengthen tourism cooperation between the two cities. This agreement is expected to facilitate joint marketing initiatives, information exchange, and the development of collaborative tourism projects, further deepening the relationship between Da Nang and Busan, and by extension, Vietnam and South Korea.
The concerted efforts by Da Nang’s tourism authorities, coupled with the strategic importance placed on the South Korean market, are poised to significantly boost visitor numbers and strengthen Da Nang’s position as a premier destination for travelers from South Korea.
