Can Tho province should focus on natural exploration, entertainment and cultural experience while developing tourism.
This was suggested from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) during their working session with Can Tho People’s Committee, which sought ways to develop tourism adaptable to climate change in the Mekong Delta.
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Mekong Delta tourism.
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With pristine islets like Con Son, Con Au, Con Khuong and Tan Loc, along with orchards, Can Tho is suitable for leisure tourism and natural exploration, according to BCG’s representatives.
Can Tho should utilise its resources in terms of infrastructure and human resources to host international cultural, sports and musical events, they said, highlighting the success of the Asian Volleyball Confederation Women's Beach Volleyball Championship which was held in the city last year.
As a cradle of different forms of arts, including UNESCO-recognised Don ca tai tu (amateur singing), plus various historical and cultural relic sites and handicraft villages, Can Tho is prime for cultural exploration.
The consultants also proposed restoring the mangrove forest system of Can Tho and the southwestern region, which is shrinking due to impacts of climate change, by launching tours which allow tourists to join forestation efforts.
Can Tho is working on a project on renewing ferries in the city, aiming to enable them to serve both transportation and tourism, said Le Van Tam, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee.
Can Tho hopes to receive the BCG’s support to implement the project, Tam added.
The number of tourist arrivals Can Tho province in 2017 surged 40% to 7.5 million, while tourism revenues rose 61% to VND2.9 trillion (US$127.6 million). Can Tho aims to serve 2.45 million holiday-makers overnight in 2018, up 28.9% against 2017.
In addition, BCG have also suggested Mekong Delta localities set forth a new vision and solutions for tourism development. The region should maximise resources and economic sectors to create differences in sustainable development, they said, urging authorities to make best use of landscapes, natural resources as well as historical and cultural values to turn the region into an ideal tourist destination.
The consultants pointed out that although the Mekong Delta is Vietnam’s production hub of rice, fruits and seafood, it is one of the regions in the country most affected by climate change.
Earlier, the project to develop tourism in the Mekong Delta in the context of climate change has been signed by three parties, including real estate developer Novaland, BCG and the Military Bank (MB).
The project aims to connect and develop tourism in 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta by putting forward suitable models which can take full advantage of local potential. Tourism products will be developed in a way to both ensure international standards and promote local cultural identity.
Tuyet Nhung