According to data from the Quang Binh Department of Tourism, after over 2 years of being heavily affected by Covid-19, until May 2023, most tourism units have gradually returned to normal operations.

In the province, there are 531 tourist accommodation establishments including 8,475 rooms, and more than 16,000 beds, of which 38 establishments have been ranked. Tourist accommodation establishments from 3 stars or more have 1,744 rooms (accounting for 20.6%) and a system of tourist accommodation, homestay, farmstay with 493 establishments consisting of 6,093 rooms.

The 4-star accommodation establishments have been put into operation and are completing the rating procedures including SAM Hotel, REX Hotel, Northern Hotel, and Cenila Peninsula Hotel. Currently, Quang Binh has 06 4-star hotels and 03 5-star hotels.

In addition, the province has nearly 3,000 food service businesses, of which 08 restaurants and 01 shopping service business establishment have been granted to serve tourists.

As for travel, in the first quarter of 2023, there were 33 travel agencies in the province, including 21 international travel agencies and 12 domestic travel agencies.

However, Mr. Tran Thang, Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee pointed out that in addition to the achieved results, it is also necessary to frankly acknowledge the shortcomings, limitations, difficulties, and challenges of the province's tourism industry.

The prominent limitations stated by the Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee are: The development of tourism is still not commensurate with the potential, advantages, and opportunities of the province; the progress of implementing some tourism projects is still slow; the connection between tourism with other sectors and fields of the economy is still unclear, etc.

The Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee said frankly that “Travel facilities are degraded, especially after a long shutdown because of the pandemic; tourism infrastructure is still lacking in synchronicity; the number of standard hotels and restaurants haven’t met the needs yet,".

To overcome the above limitations, Quang Binh Department of Tourism revealed that one of the solutions to develop tourism was to complete the construction and development planning of key tourist areas and attractions of the province in the coming time. At the same time, the province also needs to review plans related to approved tourism development to adjust to the actual situation.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quy, Director of Quang Binh Department of Tourism, these plans will create favorable conditions to attract investment in building, renovating, and embellishing the province's tourism infrastructure system such as rest stops, amusement parks, night market, service area, commercial center, cuisine, tourist attractions, parking lot, and toilets, especially in areas like Phong Nha - Ke Bang, Vung Chua - Yen Island, the coastal area of Dong Hoi, Dong Chau Nature Reserve - Khe Nuoc Trong - Bang Hot Spring, etc.

Along with that, Mr. Quy also said that Quang Binh province is attracting resources and investment projects to develop tourism, in which focusing on infrastructure projects such as transportation systems, investment in high-class establishments, commercial centers, and entertainment areas. The province creates favorable conditions for investors to soon deploy, complete construction, and put into operation these projects.

On April 12, 2023, the Prime Minister approved the Quang Binh provincial planning for the period of 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 in Decision No. 337/QD-TTg. According to the approved plan, the first pillar "focusing on investment to develop tourism is really a spearhead economic sector, affirming Quang Binh is the tourism brand name in the international tourist map; considering this as a breakthrough for growth and economic restructuring” is mentioned in the four pillars of economic development.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ky, Chairman of the Quang Binh Tourism Association, said that the content of the Quang Binh provincial planning has set the province's development priorities to attract investors and tourists.

However, Mr. Ky also pointed out the reality that at present, Quang Binh only has a few tourism investors who are enthusiastic, dynamic, and creative to create many unique tourism products that do not overlap with local endemic tourism such as tourism products of Truong Thinh Group, Chua Me Dat One Member Limited Liability Company, etc.

In order to welcome the "eagle", the Chairman of the Tourism Association suggested that Quang Binh province needs to renew investment promotion, call for and select capable investors; manage and use tourism resources rationally, not rush to shred resources, and choose enthusiastic and experienced investors.

Nguyen Van Ky suggested that. “Apart from investors specializing in accommodation, hotels, catering, food, travel, and transportation, all other types of investment must consider skills, investment fund and specify the completion time, commit to having tourism products containing high intellectual content”.

* Source: Quang Binh Portal