Several enterprises showcased their digital technologies in tourism during the festival. Photo: Kieu Mai.

The festival is one of the main activities in the Program of Cooperation for Tourism Development between Ho Chi Minh City and the 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region in 2023. Through this event, the aim is to connect and establish a digital ecosystem for tourism development among the 14 provinces and cities, introduce digital technology platforms in tourism activities, and create a space for trade connections between technology and tourism businesses. The festival includes a series of events, such as exhibitions and showcases of technology platforms in tourism and business promotion between technology and tourism units. It also features forums on topics like "Driving Growth through Digital Technology in the Tourism Industry," "Digital Transformation for Sustainable Growth with Loyal Customers," and a forum on "Digital Tourism Transformation - Driving Sustainable Development."

Delegates participating in the digital transformation exhibition. Photo: Kieu Mai.

Speaking at the forum's opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Thuc Hien emphasized that digital transformation is an essential requirement and an inevitable trend in the economic and social activities of localities. Accordingly, Can Tho City aims to be among the top five provinces and cities nationwide in developing the information technology industry and the top ten provinces and cities leading in the application of information technology in state agencies' operations. For the tourism industry, Can Tho has implemented Smart Tourism Information Portals and the Smart Tourism Application for Can Tho City on mobile devices. These initiatives have contributed to effectively supporting tourism management activities, connecting residents, tourists, and businesses for interaction, and data sharing, attracting more than 8 million visits and interactions, with an average of over 7,000 visits per day. This digital transformation forum will facilitate the exchange of experiences among localities, aiming to create connections and promote tourism development among different regions.

At the forum, delegates emphasized that tourism in the Mekong Delta region holds significant potential for development, boasting a range of unique tourism products, including destinations, cultural experiences, and cuisine. However, despite its potential, tourism in the Mekong Delta remains relatively unknown, and one of the identified issues is the suboptimal utilization of marketing and promotional communications. Building upon this foundation, the delegates conducted analyses and proposed solutions, applications, and strategic directions to unlock the region's potential, align it with market demands, and enhance its overall development. These proposed measures included improving the tourism database, establishing a Smart Tourism Operation Center, upskilling the digital workforce, and enhancing experiential activities for tourists.

During this event, various businesses entered into agreements to support technology implementation in tourism operations across the 14 provinces and cities.