It is known that due to the impact of the Covid -19 epidemic, in 2020 the number of visitors to Lao Cai will only reach 2.3 million, a decrease of 55% compared to 2019; In 2021, only for the Tan Suu Lunar New Year holiday, the number of visitors to Lao Cai decreased by 54% compared to the Canh Ty Lunar New Year holiday in 2020. Preliminary statistics, in Lao Cai province, there are about 15-20 % of accommodation establishments stop working, the rest of the accommodation establishments mostly only have guests on weekends and holidays, the average capacity is 20-30%; over 3,000 workers in the tourism sector lose their jobs or have to take a break from work; International travel businesses completely halted their activities related to foreign markets.



Activities to stimulate tourism demand "Flavors of Lao Cai" in 2021 will focus on the following contents: Promote communication, promote tourism promotion "Lao Cai - a friendly, safe and attractive destination. advertise on central media channels (VTV1, VTV3), local and electronic information websites, websites, social networks; Welcoming the press and media delegation (Presstrip) integrating press conference to announce the stimulus program, the survey program (Famtrip), the tourism promotion program (Roadshow) to introduce tourism potentials, building networks the tourism development cooperation network in the southern key tourist market; Promote and promote tourism demand through domestic seminars and fairs such as: Lao Cai Tourism Trade Investment Promotion Conference in 2021, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival, Sa Tourism Culture Festival Pa in Hanoi, Caravan program itinerary connects Lao Cai tourism with key markets (Ninh Binh - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An).

Especially in order to create a spillover effect, stimulate demand and attract a large number of tourists to Lao Cai, a lot of new and unique tourism products will be organized such as: The cultural tourism product experience organization "Reappearance Sa Pa Love Market ”associated with the performing arts program at the Tourism Center (Sa Pa) - The program was tested in 2020, attracted a large number of visitors to explore and experience; Flower festival and brocade performance at the Center for Tourism and Tourism (Sa Pa); The "Crossing the Heritage Area" competition: Held in Sa Pa, Y Ty (Bat Xat) running on the trekking route and enjoying the beauty of the national scenic relic Sa Pa terraced fields; crossing Y Ty old forest and national scenic relics and terraced fields in The Pa valley; Bicycle race "Walking in the middle of the pouring season"; Organize special festivals in Sa Pa (Festival of love season, summer with colorful Sa Pa activities, Street festivals, Rock and Flower Discovery Festival, Mass Culture Show, Discovery ethnic cultures of Ta Phin commune ...; Organizing festivals, cultural events with private brands for Bac Ha district such as Bac Ha White Plateau Festival, Bac Ha White Plateau Festival ... General sports tourism products in Bac Ha according to the consultation of French experts ... etc ...



Promotion programs, events and promotional combos of businesses were also launched in the province: 100% free of charge and entrance fees for tourist attractions managed by the province (Ham Dragon, Silver Waterfall, Sin Chai, Ta Phin, Muong Hoa Valley, Golden Stream - Love Waterfall, Old Forest, Fansipan Mountain climbing); Launching the program to stimulate tourism, reduce ticket prices to visit Fansipan Cable Car KDL; Launching the tourism stimulus program: tourism businesses register to participate in the program with specific discounts and promotions for each service to attract tourists (accommodation, meals, tours, ...) Accompanying and supporting tourism businesses to overcome difficulties caused by Covid, Lao Cai province will also issue policies to support businesses.

The implementation and organization of activities to stimulate tourism demand with the theme "Flavors of Lao Cai" will contribute to creating a strong spillover effect, stimulating tourism demand in Lao Cai nationwide, affirming Lao Cai as a friendly, safe and attractive destination, attracting tourists to Lao Cai surged in the period from April to September 2021, creating a premise to promote the recovery of the domestic tourism market after the time. translation, creating a breakthrough, striving to complete the targets assigned by the State in 2021 to welcome 5 million visitors, the total tourism revenue reaches 16,000 billion VND.

Luu Van Anh