Innovation in content to attract tourists

According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DOCST), "Ca Mau - Destination 2023" has attracted more than 213,000 visitors, bringing in revenue of VND 230 billion; contributing to the important results of the tourism industry in the year. That is attracting more than 2 million visitors to Ca Mau, revenue of more than VND 2,900 billion, contributing greatly to the socio-economic growth of the province.

The achievements of the previous year have increased expectations and created more pressure for "Ca Mau - Destination 2024". Accordingly, in 2024, it is necessary to not only continue to promote and introduce the province's potential and strengths through events, cultural, sports, tourism and trade activities... but also to attract more tourists than in previous years.

To relieve growth pressure, the People's Committee of Ca Mau province has issued an implementation plan, offering a series of attractive, novel, and unique activities and events, aiming at green tourism and eco-tourism. Accordingly, "Ca Mau - Destination 2024" still organizes annual events imbued with regional cultural identity, such as: Nghinh Ong Song Doc Festival, National Ancestor Gratitude Ceremony, Southern Folk Cake Festival, "U Minh Forest Fragrance" Event, Ca Mau Marathon... However, there have been changes and innovations in the activities to avoid boredom for tourists who are too familiar with Ca Mau.

Ms. Vo Ly Mai Phuong, a tourist from Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, said that this was her first time attending the Southern Traditional Cake Festival and she had the opportunity to experience her childhood with traditional and street foods. This year, she heard that the festival will have many innovations in content and program, so she will definitely attend.

According to Ms. Phuong, although she has been to Ca Mau many times for work and tourism in 2022 and 2023, she still hopes that "Ca Mau - Destination 2024" will have many new cultural and tourism activities.

“Tourists have come to Ca Mau many times to learn more about the cuisine, landscapes, and unique identity of the southernmost point of the country. Old events in the new year, so there must be new attractions to create attraction, because localities organize tourism events every year. If there is no change, it will be boring” – Ms. Phuong shared.

Many special activities were held for the first time.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, "Ca Mau - Destination 2024" will include a number of new activities expected to be held for the first time in the province to attract tourists, such as: Book Week and Reading Culture, Shrimp Crackers Festival associated with Nam Can culinary culture, the event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the train to the North... One of the activities expected to increase the promotion of culinary tourism is the Shrimp Crackers Festival associated with Nam Can culinary culture, expected to be held in September.

Visitors will see the shrimp cracker production process and enjoy shrimp cracker dishes at Hang Vinh Shrimp Cracker Village, Nam Can District.

Within the framework of the festival, there will also be activities such as: organizing a display of shrimp cracker booths and OCOP products throughout the province; a contest to prepare dishes from shrimp cracker or to prepare cracker types from many different ingredients, such as mantis shrimp cracker, crab cracker, five-fruit cracker. In addition, to promote communication, Ca Mau province will connect and introduce to Tiktokers who sell shrimp cracker about the event to create a ripple effect and attract tourists.

In addition, another activity that was carefully organized to review history and educate the country's traditions was the 70th anniversary of the train to the North. This event was on a provincial scale, expanding the participation of the Mekong Delta provinces, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa. Through the event and commemorative activities, the special art program not only contributed to promoting and introducing the homeland and people of Ca Mau but also aroused patriotism and national pride.

Speaking to Kinh te va Do thi newspaper, Mr. Tran Hieu Hung, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that the event "Ca Mau - Destination 2024" will have new activities, suitable for the actual situation, ensuring to create a joyful and exciting atmosphere for the people and tourists. "Thereby, the event will be an important breakthrough highlight for the Ca Mau tourism industry to complete its outstanding plan, making an important contribution to the socio-economic development of the province in 2024" - Mr. Tran Hieu Hung added.

 

In 2024, it is forecasted that the tourism industry in Ca Mau province will continue to develop stably and grow quite rapidly, reaching 2,035,253 visitors, an increase of 27.5% over the same period in 2022, exceeding the annual plan by 16.3%; total revenue will reach VND 2,821 billion, an increase of 22.5% over 2022, exceeding the 2023 plan by 5.65%.