Experts mull solutions to make visitors stay longer in Quang Ninh

Their proposals ranged from diversifying tourism products and improving night-time entertainment to promoting cultural experiences unique to the region.

Despite being home to world-renowned attractions like Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh continues to struggle with short visitor stays, raising concerns among tourism experts and local authorities.

Most foreign visitors just take a one-night cruise trip in Ha Long before returning to Hanoi the next day, said Nguyen Quang Son, deputy general director of APC Corporation --- a luxury cruise operator, and country director of the Global Tourism Development Organization in Vietnam.

The issue significantly underutilizes the province’s tourism potential, Son said at the forum, which was organized by the UNESCO Information Center in Quang Ninh on Thursday.

To address this issue, local stakeholders are collaborating to introduce a range of new products aimed at encouraging visitors to prolong their stays.

These include daytime beach activities in Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City, evening cultural performances, luxury overnight yacht stays.

Son also observed that Ha Long now attracts a far greater number of younger tourists and families compared to a few years ago.

Therefore, tour providers should diversify their products and services to meet the evolving demands and preferences of these groups.

Do Tran Phuong, deputy head of the Faculty of Tourism at Hanoi University of Culture, suggested that every locality—including Quang Ninh—identify and make the best use of its signature values to develop unique tourism products that better attract visitors and encourage longer stays.