Although a lot is said regarding festival tourism, the connection between the three parties: State management, people and businesses is almost nonexistent. The businesses are almost left open to exploiting the characteristics of the festival to develop tourism. Festival-specific tours are almost nonexistent.
The fishing festival in Thuan An also stops to serve the spiritual life of local people
Hue Vacation Company Limited, the leading operator of city tours in the province, said that the festival is not held regularly, while the route tour must operate continuously. Therefore, it is very difficult to deploy the tour, and it is impossible to change the schedule to bring guests to the festivals. The company quotes and schedules tours for visitors and partners sometimes a year in advance. In other words, to be included in tours, especially city tours, festivals and events must be stable and organized regularly.
“So, when there is a festival, the company informs guests to go see it separately, not in the fixed city tour program. In another aspect, with festivals, the company will advise guests, if guests have a need and request to organize a tour, if they have time to relax in Hue, the company will do it. Or besides the fixed attractions, festivals can be integrated to give guests more experiences. Of course, that’s when tourists agree,” shared Ms. Le Thi Kim Dung, Director of Hue Holiday One Member Company Limited.
Need a new solution
The system, selection and implementation of solutions to promote festivals into tourism products has been oriented and implemented since Thua Thien Hue organized in the direction of the Four Seasons Festival. In terms of opportunities and economic benefits, building tours and tourism products from the festival is very feasible. However, the perception and approach to the organization of the festival has not changed much in the past time, still counting “until an appointment”.
Mr. Hoang Van Khanh, Director of Vietravel Hue Branch, said that it is not easy for the festival to attract visitors. First of all, it is necessary to clarify the organization of the festival or event. From the point of view of pure festival organization, it will stop at the level of living form of local residents. Only attracted a small part of visitors to learn regarding the festival. And when looking at organizing a festival into an event, it is more methodical, has services, has experience and has a source of income. In addition, it is also necessary to clarify which customers choose the festival, to focus on promoting attractive solutions.
Another limitation of Hue festival is the ability to promote. The time of the organization is still too late, the promotion is not good, so the festival is little known to tourists and makes decisions regarding choosing to come to the festival. Meanwhile, looking at some destinations, the ability to promote is very good. For example, the water festival in Thailand took place in April 2023, at this time, travel businesses in the province promoted and sold tours. Therefore, festivals in Hue must be organized more professionally and methodically.
According to the Department of Tourism Planning and Development, Department of Tourism, in order for the New Year’s festival and the year to become a product to attract visitors, the festival must change the way it is organized, requiring interaction. Admittedly, festivals just stop being original. The supply chain between the State, businesses and people is still not clear. This needs to evaluate, learn from experience and proceed to form an organizational form that both preserves tradition and promotes values. Like Sinh village, it is possible to consider the option of organizing an activity for visitors. Not win or lose, visitors can participate in wrestling to pray for good health for a year.
Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Director of the Department of Tourism, said that the festival is an important element of cultural tourism products. In the coming time, the tourism industry will coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to further promote this product that is evaluated as having this strength. It is important to connect businesses to build tours suitable for each festival.
