Rich in potential but development is not commensurate
On June 30, Lao Dong Newspaper organized a seminar "Tay Bac tourism development: Awakening the potential of Hoa Binh lake region" in Phu Tho.
Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Mr. Bui Xuan Truong - Deputy Director of Phu Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that Hoa Binh Lake area is not only a key tourist area but also a new growth pole of the tourism industry, playing a role in spreading development to the western region of the province and connecting with localities in the Northwest region and neighboring provinces and cities.
Mr. Truong emphasized that tourism development needs to be placed in the overall socio-economic development strategy; in accordance with the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy, the National Tourism System Plan and the Phu Tho Provincial Plan.
However, representatives of the Phu Tho Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism frankly acknowledged that great potential does not mean commensurate development.
Tourism infrastructure in some areas is still not synchronized; traffic connection to tourist destinations is still limited; tourism products are not truly differentiated, and there is still a lack of large-scale resort and entertainment products; the ability to attract strategic investors is not commensurate with the potential; digital transformation and promotion and advertising work need to continue to be strongly innovated.
Sharing at the seminar, Ms. Ha Thuy Hanh - Operating Director of Ngu Mai Retreat - said that although it has only been in operation for about a month, the resort has received many room booking calls, showing the tourism development potential of the locality.
However, the enterprise is still facing many difficulties in infrastructure. In which, the electricity system does not meet operating needs. The enterprise has received a decision to upgrade the power load and the Ngù hamlet area will be invested in a transformer station. Ms. Hanh expressed her desire for the project to be implemented soon to meet the needs of serving tourists.
Keeping the local soul and creating difference
The merger of administrative units and expansion of development space of Phu Tho province is not only a major policy but also opens a new door of opportunity to help localities solve many problems, including infrastructure and tourism connectivity.
Sharing about the tourism development orientation of the locality, Mr. Dinh Son Tung - Vice Chairman of Muong Hoa Commune People's Committee - said that the commune determines to develop tourism according to the viewpoint of "preserving the indigenous soul and creating difference", taking advantages of natural landscapes, cultural values and heritage as the foundation.
According to Mr. Tung, Muong Hoa is favored by nature with beautiful Hoa Binh lake scenery, and is also located in the central sub-zone (sub-zone 4) of Hoa Binh Lake National Tourist Area.
Proposing mechanisms to support tourism development, Mr. Dinh Son Tung - Vice Chairman of Muong Hoa Commune People's Committee - said that the locality has great potential but needs more "pushs" from mechanisms and policies to effectively exploit the advantages of the lake area.
According to Mr. Tung, first of all, Phu Tho province needs to soon complete, adjust and approve the detailed planning of the sub-zones of Hoa Binh National Tourist Area, especially sub-zone 4 - the central area, in order to create a transparent and favorable legal corridor to attract investors.
In addition, the locality proposed to continue investing in and upgrading transport infrastructure, accelerate the completion of connecting roads and study investment in bridges.
In addition to infrastructure, Mr. Tung also proposed that the province organize training classes on community tourism skills for people, helping them transform from agricultural production thinking to service thinking, gradually becoming the subject and directly benefiting from tourism development.
