Creating a healthy and friendly tourism environment and promoting digital transformation in tourism are part of the tourism development strategy of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province until 2030.
Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province’s Department of Tourism said that the province has digitized information about 170 relics, scenic spots and tourist attractions up to now. In 2023 alone, 122 locations have had their data uploaded onto the portal https://sodl.baria-vungtau.gov.vn so that organizations, individuals and localities directly managing destinations can review the contents and images before the operation of the portal is officially announced in early 2024.
Digital transformation brings about results to the tourism industry in Ba Ria – Vung Tau. In addition to normal applications in digital transformation, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) have been applied to tourism service provision and management activities. This enhances the visitor’s experience by providing detailed information about tourist attractions, transportation services and recreation activities.
Mr. Trinh Hang, Director of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province’s Department of Tourism, said that by just using a smartphone to scan the QR code to access destinations, tourists will be provided with basic information about locations, origins, establishment, characteristics, significance, etc. with automatic subtitles and narration in 7 languages: English, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, French, Russian, Korean, with general videos and images of destinations.
In addition, Ba Ria – Vung Tau has created a smart tourism mobile application, allowing tourists to search for information and book services quickly and conveniently. This application also offers features such as travel guides, quick maps, and suggestions for fun activities in the area. Therefore, Vung Tau City attracts and accounts for over 50% of the number of tourists arriving in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province and has the largest number of tourism business units in the province. Vung Tau City has 1,300 accommodation establishments with more than 15,000 rooms and more than 1,000 restaurants.
Currently, 100% of tourism businesses in Vung Tau City are using electronic invoices, 100% of travel businesses, tourist areas and star-rated hotels have posted products and services on tourism e-commerce platforms, promoting products and services on websites and social platforms, especially online tourism websites. In addition to applying and developing digital technology in tourism, most businesses are now interested in applying advanced technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT to promote and develop tourism, and 4D and digital maps for sustainable and effective development.
Ba Ria – Vung Tau has set a goal of completing digital transformation for 100% of accommodation establishments that implement basic digital transformation by 2025. In 2023 alone, it will complete digital transformation for accommodation establishments with their own QR codes. Up to now, most hotels and tourist areas rated one star or higher have also implemented digital transformation in line with Vung Tau City Party Committee’s action program on digital transformation in civilized urban areas in accordance with the scale of service business activities. Besides, 100% of relics, scenic spots and tourist attractions will also have their own websites and QR codes for tourists to easily look for information.
In 2023, Vung Tau City has become a smart and sustainable tourist destination. Digital transformation has brought about significant improvements to the tourism industry, from providing detailed and easily searchable information for tourists to improving management efficiency and business development. Simultaneously, focusing on sustainable tourism helps protect the environment and natural resources in the city.
With the goal of making the tourism industry truly one of the four pillar industries of the province, Ba Ria – Vung Tau focuses on developing eight main types of tourism, strengthening connections to encourage strong participation from the community in tourism activities; strengthening promotion, creating tourism products suitable for market segments; creating a healthy, friendly and attractive tourism environment for tourists; promoting digital transformation in tourism activities, and deploying applications in smart tourism programs to become tools for supporting tourism businesses.
