Basic HTML Version
cupancy, a 15 per cent increase against
the previous 12 months.
Other hotels such as the Hyatt Re-
gency Danang finished last year with
above-market average occupancy and
total revenue up more than 100 percent
year-on-year. “We are budgeting for rev-
enue growth of 18 percent this year
over the previous year, from primary
markets that include Hong Kong, Sin-
gapore, South Korea and China, and of
course our Vietnamese market,” said Jon
Tomlinson, director of Indochina Land
Hospitality Division, the owner of Hyatt
Regency Danang.
CBRE notes that the main factor
contributing to the hotel business on
the central coast is the boom of North
Asian arrivals, particularly from China
and South Korea. The number of flights
from the two countries to Danang has
increased to 28, with nine from South
Korea and 19 from China.
Tomlinson attributes Hyatt Re-
gency Danang’s better business to “the
successful implementation of our sales,
marketing and related strategies com-
plimented by activities organised by
Danang Tourism and the Central Coast
Vietnam Destination Marketing Organi-
sation, as well as several new airlines
and routes into the region.”
The Central Coast Destination Mar-
keting Organisation was created last
year by private stakeholders with a vest-
ed interest in the continued growth of
the region. The initiative is not dissimi-
lar to the World Heritage Road project in
its collaborative approach. Its member-
ship comprises hotels, resorts and golf
courses in the region, as well as the
two largest foreign property developers
in Vietnam. Through its marketing ac-
tivities the group targets an accelerated
increase in tourist arrivals to the region.
Louk Lennaerts, chief visionary of-
ficer at Serenity Holding, a hotel devel-
opment and management consulting
firm, says the problem is that people
may have heard of Hoi An and Hue
but do not know the connection with
Danang.
“Sound logic is needed to bring the
central coast of Vietnam to the market
as a beach destination that also offers
a lot of cultural attractions as well as
international golf courses, plus Hoi An
for shopping. This needs to be com-
municated well inside the travel trade,
especially now when those inside the
trade are looking for new alternatives
to Bali and Thailand,” he said.
The organisation has initiated dia-
logue with several international airlines
to stimulate feasibility studies for direct
flights into Danang from abroad. Another
area of focus is visa restrictions and pro-
cessing complexity.
Unlike the World Heritage Road,
the Central Coast Destination Marketing
Organisation will contribute financially
by funding a legitimate company body
to promote the area.
However, the fee for this is high,
at $600 per month, which is why only
large hotels have become members.
In addition, Vinh points out that
this initiative has seen little contribution
from tourism authorities in the area.
“Tourism authorities in the three prov-
inces of central Vietnam should work
together under an umbrella to bring the
advantage of each locality into full play.
For instance, Danang can focus on MICE
and beach holiday tourism, while Thua
Thien Hue should focus on religious
and cultural tourism. All of these can be
done under the same initiative, like the
World Heritage Road,” he said.
37
timeout
Danang is
perceived
to be a
good value
for money
destina-
tion.
Besides
boasting
pictur-
esque ocean views that take one’s
breath away, the charm and colours
of nearby Hoi An are also a draw-
card. The airport is brand new, the
roads are wide, and Danang city,
with its multiple bridges, has a
quaint feel to it. All in all, most of
the basic infrastructure in the city
is excellent. Danang needs more
new hotels, especially international
chain hotels. This will also allow the
city to position itself as one of the
leading resort destinations in Asia.
Zulki Othman
General manager,
Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa
Days on the central coast begin with
a beautiful sunrise and a touch of
exercise for those interested