Potential and development solutions for Long An rural tourism

Long An has great potential for developing river tourism (Photo: Happyland Tourist Area)

Great potential for river tourism

Within the framework of the 2nd Long An Province Culture - Sports - Tourism Week in 2024, the conference on promoting rural tourism and OCOP products between Long An with Ho Chi Minh City and provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta was held to introduce and promote the image, values, and advantages of Long An tourism, listen to opinions, analysis, and solutions to build typical tourism products associated with the consumption of OCOP products to exploit the strengths and attract tourists.

With the advantage of landscape, culture and history, the potential for exploiting river tourism in Long An is highly appreciated. River tours to Long An for foreign tourists have been effectively exploited for many years by a number of tourism and travel companies. The CEO of Les Rives Joint Stock Company - Lieu Thi My Hanh said that the company is exploiting the Bach Dang - Thu Thua - Bach Dang river tour, bringing about 3,000 tourists to Long An each year. Ms. My Hanh affirmed: “The demand of tourists for river tourism is very high. Long An has destinations by river that can be exploited such as Ben Luc district with Nhut Tao estuary, Thu Thua district with Vinh Phong communal house, Thu Thua market, Thu Thua church, Kim Chi Shelter, etc. With peaceful natural landscapes, friendly and hospitable people, the advantage of bordering Ho Chi Minh City, Long An has many opportunities to create rural tourism products with a strong Southern characteristic. Tourists participating in river tours to Long An have returned to once again immerse themselves in the peaceful countryside”.

However, one of the concerns of units exploiting river tourism in Long An is the lack of wharves, causing many difficulties in exploiting tourism. Responding to the concerns raised by businesses, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Pham Tan Hoa said that in order to promote the development of river tourism, Tan An City has built wharves and will soon put them into use in December 2024. He also requested the leaders of Thu Thua district, where the Bach Dang - Thu Thua - Bach Dang tour is operating effectively, to pay attention to building wharves, creating conditions for the development of local tourism.

Focus on human resource training

Understanding the strengths of the locality, many destinations in the province have invested in developing rural tourism. Among them, Tan Lap Floating Village, Endless Field, Chavi Garden, Vam Co Farmstay, etc are prominent destinations. However, in order for them to attract and retain tourists, the human resource factor needs special attention. Speaking at the Conference on promoting rural tourism and OCOP products between Long An, Ho Chi Minh City and provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy Ngan affirmed that the local community is the center of tourism development. To develop rural tourism, it is necessary to first raise people's awareness, focus on training tourism skills for the community as well as guide people to do tourism professionally and friendly.

The landscape of Dong Thap Muoi is a prominent feature for Long An to develop rural tourism (Photo: Endless Field tourist area)

Also affirming the importance of human resource training, Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Association - Nguyen Van Hien said that the training needs to be focused on so that human resources at the sites are professionally trained. "A good tour guide will greatly contribute to the tourist area, leaving visitors a deep impression.Therefore, human resource training needs to be given special attention" - Mr. Nguyen Van Hien emphasized.

Also at the conference, experts emphasized the importance of linking localities in the region to create integrated tourism products that attract tourists. The model of an agricultural education center associated with tourism was also proposed as a solution to help Long An attract tourists from Ho Chi Minh City, taking full advantage of its geographical location.

In his closing speech at the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee - Pham Tan Hoa thanked and acknowledged the contributions of experts and delegates. Mr. Pham Tan Hoa affirmed that in the coming time, Long An will focus on synchronous and focused investment capital, promote the socialization of tourism, create favorable conditions in terms of mechanisms, policies, administrative procedures, and support services for economic sectors to participate in tourism development investment. In addition, regional linkages will also be focused on to gradually turn tourism into an important economic sector of Long An./.

By Moc Chau - Translated by Q. Thien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/du-lich-nong-thon-long-an-tiem-nang-va-giai-phap-phat-trien-a186388.html