Localities across Vietnam are accelerating their digital transformation to bolster the tourism sector. In the northern province of Ninh Binh, businesses provide tourism information through websites and the portal of the provincial Tourism Department, the provincial information centre for tourism promotion, and social media platforms.
According to the Director of the provincial department, Bui Van Manh, the region has plans to turn tourism into a pillar of the economy and Ninh Binh into a major tourism hub of the country. It will do this by digitalising the statistical indicator system of the sector using big data while connecting the local reporting system with inter-provincial and national ones.
Manh outlined several tech-based solutions to bolster the sector. These include raising the awareness of state officials and business owners about digital transformation, linking databases with localities, improving the quality of infrastructure and services, offering specific guidelines to localities, and training the workforce as a breakthrough to solve the problems. He said that linking state management agencies on tourism from the local to the central level and travel companies are necessary to develop a smart tourism ecosystem. Industry insiders need to understand that digital transformation is not only about technology but also about management, approaches, and marketing, he said.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the Tourism Department has launched the 2020-2030 smart tourism project. Recently, the city announced it would apply digital technology in management. Under the project, the department is building a database of tourism services and improving experiences for tourists and residents. The Deputy Director of the Tourism Department noted that the city has also launched a smart tourism application for Android and iOS devices and upgraded its portal.
Since the COVID-19 epidemic, the tourism industry has not completely recovered, and the behaviour and trends of tourists have witnessed significant changes. Creating new experiences and unique tourism products through digital transformation solutions, and optimising operations at accommodation facilities is important for the overall growth of the sector.
In August, the Da Nang Municipal Department of Tourism organised a seminar on improving digital transformation capacity and smart lighting solutions at tourist accommodation establishments, as OpenGov Asia reported.
The event was an opportunity for associations and businesses providing services to explore solutions for digital transformation, smart lighting, and convenient and smart technology. The first step in the process of tourism digital transformation is to upgrade facilities and invest in modern equipment for accommodation facilities to meet the needs of personalised experiences.
Many tourist accommodation establishments have focused on smart lighting solutions, which reduce labour, operation, and electricity costs. These solutions boost the competitiveness of tourist accommodation establishments by increasing the quality of customer experiences.
Earlier, in an attempt to increase the variety of tourist self-service tools and information channels, the Da Nang municipal Tourism Department coordinated with a private artificial intelligence (AI) developer to create and pilot Chatbot Danang Fantasticity, the first automatic tourism information search and support channel via text message conversation in Vietnam. Through it, users can learn about a wide range of attraction sites, tourist activities, and entertainment outlets around the city.
