The tourism authorities of Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces plan to launch a tour combining islands and inland destinations to further build on their reputation as the land of heritage sites.

Do Tan Cuong, deputy director of Quang Nam Province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told the Daily that the tour would likely be launched next year. Tourists will start the tour in the ancient town of Hoi An to explore Cu Lao Cham, or Cham Islets, before getting on board speed boats to ply the waters for two hours to Quang Ngai’s Re Island on the island district of Ly Son.

The two tourism departments will explore the route between Cu Lao Cham and Re Island to develop new tourism products before opening the new tour late next year, Cuong said.

The new tour will likely attract many tourists due to the good combination between sightseeing in the ancient town of Hoi An and Cu Lao Cham biosphere reserve, and exploration of the neglected beauty of Re Island as well as beautiful beaches along the route.

“We will make the survey trip next summer in the hope of launching the new tour late next year,” he said.

The tourism industry in the central coastal province of Quang Nam is growing rapidly with the total number of tourists expected at around 2.45 million this year, with half being foreigners. In Quang Ngai Province nearby, the hospitality sector is much less developed, with just over 300,000 tourists expected for this year.

Cuong said Quang Nam’s tourism industry has been enjoying strong development in recent years.

“More and more tourists are coming, and we are trying to enrich tourism services for them,” he said.

Cuong said the room occupancy rate was high in Hoi An, with the current rate hovering around 73%.

Along with preparations for the new tour, the province’s tourism sector has decided to replace the Heritage Itinerary Festival next year by an international music festival. The Heritage Itinerary Festival, which was organized every two years, has become less attractive.

“We need to end the ten-year old festival to make the new and exciting festival for tourists. We need to refresh the image of Quang Nam’s tourism,” Cuong said.

He added Lung Lo 5 Company had asked the province for approval to map out a scheme to turn Cu Lao Cham into a high-end tourist area in the biosphere reserve.