Enhancing Attractiveness of Tourism Products

Because provinces in the Mekong River Delta have similar conditions for tourism exploitation, products developed by them are easily overlapping. In order to overcome this situation, Tien Giang only focuses investment in developing a product type at a number of attractions with outstanding resources and the most favourable conditions for tourism development.

 

According to Tien Giang Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tien Giang (DOCST) has three eco areas which can be exploited for tourism purposes, including: the underwater ecosystem (Tan Phuoc District with the major tourism product of visiting flooded indigo forest in Dong Thap Muoi Ecological Reserve), the salt water ecosystem (Go Cong area with the key product of leisure and beach tourism) and the fresh water ecosystem (districts along the Tien River with the leading product of river and orchard-based eco-tourism. 

 

It can be seen that eco-tourism products of Tien Giang mainly serve sightseeing and relaxation purposes. These are typical products of Tien Giang’s tourism and also products of provinces in the Mekong River Delta. Tourists to Tien Giang mostly pay visit to orchards, floating markets and attractions invested by local households. Activities they can participate in include enjoying local delicacies, traditional folk songs (Tai tu) and visiting local products making centers (wine, candy and cake, etc.). It is the similarity among tourism products in the Mekong River Delta that makes them bring about a feeling of repetition and boredom.

 

Mr Nguyen Ngoc Minh, Director of Tien Giang DOCST believes that with a view to improve the situation, it is necessary that appropriate products be developed for each market segment and tourist group. Large groups of tourists having high income will need high quality products and professional manner in provision of service. It will be more suitable for smaller groups or individual tourists to visit less commercial, more natural and closer to real life of local people.

 

Project “Eco and leisure tourism area” developed on an area of 13.6 hectares of Tien Giang Tourism JSC on Thoi Son Island and project “Tan Thanh beach tourism area” of Van Binh An One Member Limited Company on an area of 11.7 hectares which are under construction will become high quality destinations for tourists. “These areas are planned to provide a diversified range of products of high quality,” affirms Mr Minh. Also according to Mr Minh, it is crucial that Tien Giang develop other types of tourism, i.e. cultural tourism.

 

Tien Giang has many national cultural historical sites which are associated with the process of national development and defence. The latest modern- era relics include Rach Gam – Xoai Mut victory, Truong Dinh Tomb, Thu Khoa Huan Tomb, the Royal Mausoleum and the cultural relics such as Vinh Trang Pagoda,Oc Eo-Go Thanh archaeological site…Relics during the anti-French anti-Americanism period are famous monuments namely Ap Bac (Cai Lay), Nam Ky Khoi Nghia with Nguyen Thi Thap temple (Chau Thanh), Ba Rai victory relic (Cai Lay) and Co Co (Cai Be). In addition, there are provincial 94 cultural historical sites that can be selected and put into exploitation for tourism purpose. Tien Giang has many religious festivals to attract tourists. However, to turn the festival into the traditional ones to attract tourists, especially foreign tourists, it is necessary to organize these festivals with the focus laid on tourism purpose. Attention should be given to investment, development and diversification of services and promotion method responsive to this tourism type.

 

Leisure and health brought about by the quietness and fresh atmosphere should be effectively exploited. To exploit this type of service, it is necessary to design resorts which focus on the harmony between people and natural space. Accommodation establishments should be arranged next to water area and orchards to increase the tourist’s access to fresh and open space. This type of tourism should be developed in areas with favorable conditions such as Thoi Son isle, Tan Thanh beach, Con Horizontal, Vam Co River area (Go Cong district) and areas along the Tien river (Cai Lay district, Cai Be) to meet the needs of the local and international tourists.

 

If the province’s own strengths are exploited properly, it is certain that Tien Giang will enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of its tourism products in the near future.