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Discover how Da Nang, in collaboration with VNAT, is implementing ASEAN tourism standards to enhance its tourism offerings, focusing on sustainability, service quality, and regional competitiveness.
From 8th to 11th November 2023, the Tourism Information Technology Center (TITC) and the Hospitality Industry Management Division, under the auspices of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), joined forces with Da Nang’s Department of Tourism to conduct a comprehensive training program. This initiative focused on the implementation of ASEAN Tourism Standards in Da Nang for the year 2023.
The training program saw participation from officials of the Culture and Information Divisions of various districts and cities, along with tourism officials and representatives from accommodation establishments and tourist areas in Da Nang City.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Hoa, Director of TITC, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We hope that through this class, participants will have a systematic approach, full awareness and determination to implement ASEAN tourism standards, contributing to improving quality and competition capacity of Da Nang in particular and Vietnamese tourism in general.”
Ms. Pham Thi Song Anh, Deputy Head of the Accommodation Management Division in Da Nang, highlighted the city’s commitment to enhancing its tourism offerings. She noted that in addition to developing key tourism products and restoring human resources, Da Nang is actively implementing measures to ensure environmental cleanliness and landscape preservation.
A key initiative is the “Project to build Da Nang, an environmental city.” This involves encouraging tourism businesses to reduce the use of single-use plastic products, maintain environmental hygiene, and classify household solid waste at the source. Additionally, the project focuses on maintaining the cleanliness of beaches and the Son Tra peninsula area, fostering a civilized urban cultural lifestyle and business culture, and implementing a Code of Conduct in tourism activities, thus contributing to Da Nang’s reputation as a green, clear, and beautiful destination.
Ms. Anh also underscored the significance of the training program in raising awareness among management staff, destinations, and businesses regarding the standardization of service quality – a crucial objective for Da Nang’s tourism sector.
The program also serves as a platform for reviewing, evaluating, and preparing for participation in the ASEAN Tourism Awards, which offers opportunities for sustainable tourism development.
Cham Spa & Massage in Da Nang City was recognized with the ASEAN Spa Service Award at the ATF 2023 held in Indonesia last January, demonstrating the impact of such awards in promoting and developing the brands of businesses and high-quality tourism products and services in the region.
The ASEAN Tourism Standards, published by the ASEAN Secretariat, aim to standardize and enhance the quality of tourism products and services and strengthen stakeholder responsibility in regional tourism development. These standards cover a range of areas including sustainable tourism, clean tourist cities, community-based tourism, homestays, green hotels, MICE venues, spa services, and public toilets, providing detailed instructions on criteria, methods, assessment processes, and certification.
Implementing and expanding ASEAN tourism standards is a key action program under the strategic direction “Strengthening ASEAN’s competitiveness as a single tourism destination,” outlined in the ASEAN Tourism Strategy 2016 – 2025. Establishments meeting these standards have the opportunity to register for the ASEAN Tourism Awards, a prestigious regional award recognizing excellence in the tourism industry, presented annually at the ASEAN Tourism Forum.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
