Developing MICE tourism: More opportunities to attract visitors in the low tourism season

Creating momentum for forming MICE tourism products

In order to gradually form and develop MICE tourism products, the Provincial People's Council has passed Resolution No. 15/2024/NQ-HDND on regulations on support policies to attract delegations to Binh Dinh province to attend conferences and seminars. Specifically, there will be a 50% reduction in the rental fee for halls and meeting rooms at the Provincial Convention Center for delegations of enterprises, social organizations, and socio-professional organizations attending conferences and seminars in Binh Dinh province (minimum 100 guests, not including guests in the province); support 50% of the cost of performing traditional Binh Dinh art by the Provincial Traditional Art Theater to serve the conference (not exceeding 8 million VND/program).

The Provincial Convention Center is the venue for many large conferences and seminars in the province. Photo: DOAN NGOC

According to tourism businesses, this policy creates more opportunities for Quy Nhon - Binh Dinh to become a destination that is prioritized by tourist groups, contributing to exploiting tourism potential in addition to the long-standing strengths of tourism products, such as: Sea and island tourism, community tourism, cultural tourism, etc.

The ANYA hotel chain includes two 4-5 star hotels, with nearly 500 modern and convenient rooms.  Mr. Ngo Thanh Hoang, Deputy Director of ANYA hotel chain, said: “ANYA hotel chain has a diverse system of meeting rooms, which can serve meetings from 20 guests to nearly 1,000 guests. We have high expectations for the policies issued by the province and will have special incentive packages applied to groups of guests when coming to Binh Dinh to attend seminars, conferences, stay, and experience the services of ANYA hotel chain” Hai Au Hotel with two 3-4 star standard facilities, 250 rooms, a conference hall system serving from 50 to 500 guests, also offers many incentive programs such as: 10-20% discount on room rates, free meeting rooms, conference halls, tour discounts... for groups of guests coming to stay, organize conferences, seminars here. Mr. Le Hong Quang, Deputy Director of Hai Au Hotel, said: “We have been more proactive in preparing facilities, human resources, and services to be ready to serve groups of guests according to the province's MICE tourism stimulus policy”.

Need for more policies

Ky Co tourist area (Nhon Ly commune, Quy Nhon city) also offers a 15-20% discount for groups of guests traveling on tours to Ky Co to experience the services here. Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy General Director of Ky Co tourist area, said: “We support the province's tourism development policy, joining hands with the provincial tourism industry to develop MICE tourism products. Support policies to attract groups of guests to Binh Dinh to attend conferences and seminars also create opportunities for tourism businesses to have more customers, especially during the low tourist season. We will promote incentive programs serving MICE tourist groups to attract tourists to Ky Co”.

Many tourism businesses operating in Binh Dinh also believe that the province should have more policies to make Quy Nhon - Binh Dinh an attractive destination, attracting MICE tours. Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Sen, Director of Vietravel Quy Nhon Branch - Vice President of Binh Dinh Tourism Association, said: "We see that the province has paid attention to MICE tourism products, but to attract more tourists, the province should have more policies on discounting tours when visiting tourist areas and spots; free team building at Quy Nhon beach; pay more attention to the transportation system..." Director of the Department of Tourism Tran Van Thanh said: "We will promote cooperation, tourism promotion; encourage tourism businesses to proactively improve the quality of tourism services for tourists, contributing to attracting visitors and gradually forming MICE tourism products, maintaining the Quy Nhon - Binh Dinh tourism brand".

*In 2023, Binh Dinh province is estimated to welcome more than 5 million visitors, an increase of 21.4% compared to 2022; of which, there are 194 conferences and seminars attracting more than 40,500 visitors. In the first 7 months of 2024, Binh Dinh welcomed more than 6.6 million visitors, an increase of 97.9% compared to the same period last year; of which, there are 169 conferences and seminars organized, attracting more than 35,900 visitors.