Da Nang cuts prices to draw tourists

Nearly 100 businesses, travel agencies and hotels joined a promotional programme in the central city from this month through next March, offering a 10-60 per cent discount for their service.
The city's Culture, Sports and Tourism department made the announcement at a press conference on the programme yesterday, stating that the programme is focused on tourists from mainland China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. The United States and Australia are also being targeted by the programme.
"We are focusing on international markets with direct air routes including South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Chinese-speaking nations, as well as Ha Noi, Hai Phong, HCM City, Can Tho and the Mekong Delta River," Le Thi Ai Diep from the department said.
"Accommodation at some hotels could offer the highest discount of 60 per cent in the low season (from September, when the rainy season starts)," she said, adding that 50 hotels had agreed to a 40-65 per cent discount for travel agencies.
Five-star hotel Furama in co-operation with low-cost carrier VietJetAir offered a promotional price of VND9.8 million (US$466) for a stay of three days and two nights at the resort, with a free return ticket for two from Da Nang to Ha Noi or HCM City.
Duong Nguyen Vu, head of marketing for Furama resort, said the city should launch the promotional programme ealier in Asia and Scandinavian countries for foreign travel agencies creating their travel plans.
The central city's Cham Sculpture Museum – one of the most popular destinations – has offered a 50 per cent discount on the ticket price for six months, from September to March, while Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountain) will also offer a 50 per cent discount on tickets every Monday and Tuesday during the 6-month promotion.
The Hoa Phu Thanh eco-tour site, 30km away from the city, will provide free entry from October to March.
Water sports and recreational service centres at My Khe beach have also promised a discount of 10 to 50 per cent in response to the city's promotional programme.
Deputy General Director of Viet Nam tourism joint-stock company, Vitours, Le Tan Thanh Tung suggested links between the city's travel agencies and partners in Hue and Quang Nam.
The city plans to host a road show in Japan later this month as well as a number of press and travel agency trips from Japan, South Korea, Russia and Australia.
The central coastal city, which lies within easy reach of the country's best heritage icons, including Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Quang Binh, Hue city and Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam, hosted 2.2 million tourists, of which 600,000 were foreigners, over the first half of this year, showing 24 per cent growth compared with last year.