Daily Archives: December 24, 2024

Commissioners to increase their travel stipend

Island County commissioners rescinded pay increases for themselves and most of the other elected county officials, but they found another way to receive higher compensation.
During a workshop meeting last week, the three commissioners decided to hike their travel stipend, which has remained unchanged for 13 years, from $700 a month to $1,200.
Human Resources Director Cathy Reid said the purpose of the travel stipend is to compensate the commissioners for travel within the county. She pointed out that commissioners are expected to attend meetings in Coupeville and use their own vehicles.

While the increase is overdue and separate from the commissioners’ salaries, the discussion during the workshop made it clear that the decision is a reaction to the failure of the salary increase measure.
Commissioner Jill Johnson offered some of the same arguments that she made when the commissioners spoke about increasing salaries for themselves.
“When the leaders of the organization are some of the lower paid ones, in terms of senior leadership, we have a structural problem,” she said.

Preserving the “essence of Đà Lạt” important to attracting international tourists: experts

Đà Lạt city plans to attract more tourists with its focus on green tourism. Photo bvhttdl.gov.vn

LÂM ĐỒNG  Đà Lạt is focusing on green tourism and leveraging cultural industries rooted in the natural landscape, biodiversity, and the rich local culture to attract more international visitors.Despite consistently ranking among the most sought-after destinations for domestic travellers, the resort city Đà Lạt in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng has yet to make a significant impression on the international tourism map.The city plans to attract more tourists, especially foreign visitors, with green and sustainable tourism.In early this month, the streets of Đà Lạt, especially in the heart of downtown like Xuân Hương Lake, Lâm Viên Square, and Đà Lạt Market, are bustling with visitors from across the globe.Among them are tour groups from South Korea, China, Indonesia, and India, travelling for leisure or combining tourism with business events.Dung Nguyễn, a representative of Đà Lạt Wonderland, said that the resort has maintained a 70 per cent occupancy rate during the week days and has been fully booked on weekends since early December. “The shift in foreign visitor trends after the pandemic reflects the success of promotional efforts by the local tourism sector,” Dung said.For nature enthusiasts, The Florest – Hoa Trong Rừng (Flowers in the Forest), Đà Lạt’s largest flower garden located 20 kilometres from the city centre, is a must-visit. Chosen as the venue for introducing international experts and tourists on December 17, The Florest amazed visitors with its vibrant flower fields surrounded by expansive forests and mountains.A group of specialists from Suphan Buri, Thailand, expressed their admiration for the picturesque flower hills. Apinya, a member of the group, said that the weather, food, and scenery had delighted everyone at the party.Nguyễn Thị Hảo, manager of The Florest, highlighted the garden’s advantages for sustainable tourism development. Spanning 60 hectares, with 25 hectares currently in use, the garden features various flowers such as dahlias, hydrangeas and roses. It focuses on ecological conservation and preserving local flora and fauna.“We follow a clean agriculture model for sustainable growth, aiming for higher standards. Alongside this, we integrate local culture with agritourism to captivate visitors,” Hảo said.

Đà Lạt ranks among the top three domestic destinations favoured by Vietnamese travellers in 2024. Photo thanhnien.vn

StrategiesAccording to Outbox Intelligence, Đà Lạt ranked among the top three domestic destinations favoured by Vietnamese travellers in 2024. Outbox Company Director Phước Đặng said that 89.3 per cent of domestic visitors come to the city to relax, drawn by its mild climate and beautiful natural landscape.However, a survey by Agoda, released on December 17, revealed that Đà Lạt ranks second among domestic destinations searched by Vietnamese tourists for the Lunar New Year holidays. Despite this, it remains absent from the list of international travellers’ choices for New Year’s Eve celebrations.Jackie Ong, PhD, a senior lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT University Việt Nam, said that Đà Lạt has only recently gained recognition in the global tourism community. This highlights its untapped potential for attracting foreign visitors.“My niece recently had a short holiday in Việt Nam and chose to spend 24 hours in Đà Lạt,” Ong said. “Even though I offered suggestions, she explored the city on her own, likely guided by online information. For many visitors, Đà Lạt remains a city of flowers and romance. However, younger tourists see it as a city with cool weather, unique spaces, trendy cafés, and delicious food. The chilly weather is a distinctive feature that sets Đà Lạt apart from other hot-climate destinations,” he said.Tạ Thị Tú Uyên, a representative of Vietravel, said that Đà Lạt’s tourism offerings are primarily designed for domestic tourists. In contrast, international travellers seek deeper, exploratory experiences that reflect cultural identity.“They travel less frequently, move slowly, but demand in-depth experiences. To attract international visitors, Đà Lạt needs tailored products and enhanced publicity and promotion strategies,” Uyên suggested.To capitalise on global markets, Đà Lạt should invest significantly in tourism infrastructure, particularly in upgrading Liên Khương Airport into an international transport hub. Developing high-end and unique tourism products, such as agricultural exploration tours and world-class events, could be transformative in drawing international crowds. Collaborating with digital platforms to promote Đà Lạt’s image to global audiences is also essential.Uyên emphasised that while Đà Lạt is being positioned as a creative city, its reputation as the “City of Flowers” should not be overlooked. This can elevate cultural value and align tourism with agriculture.“International visitors often seek authentic local qualities and natural beauty in the places they visit. It’s essential to preserve the unique ‘essence of Đà Lạt’,” Uyên said. VNS

Premium tourist train “La Reine” launched for Đà Lạt – Trại Mát route

Tourists enjoy music performance on “La Reine” (Queen) tourist train. VNA/VNS Photo Chu Quốc Hùng

ĐÀ LẠT — The Vietnam Railways Corporation has officially launched its high-quality “La Reine” (Queen) tourist train at Đà Lạt Station in the Central Highlands of Lâm Đồng, serving passengers on the Đà Lạt  – Trại Mát route.The December 24 evening launch was part of the ongoing Đà Lạt Flower Festival 2024, aiming to offer passengers a fresh travel experience and meet the growing demand for rail services.Inspired by the architectural elegance of the Palace of Queen Nam Phương, wife of King Bảo Đại– the last of the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802 – 1945), in Đà Lạt  City, the train’s carriages boast a luxurious and sophisticated design that combines Indochinese and French styles, with technical upgrades for enhanced comfort. Notably, the train features VIP compartments with 12 seats, catering to families seeking private travel spaces.Đào Anh Tuấn, General Director of the Vietnam Railways JSC, said the Đà Lạt  nighttime tourist train service was inaugurated on April 14 this year. Over the course of 2024, the Đà Lạt – Trại Mát route operated 3,050 trips, an annual increase of 69 per cent, carrying 276,567 passengers, up 75 per cent year-on-year.The high-quality Đà Lạt – Trại Mát tourist train was launched in efforts to provide quality transport services, he noted.Nguyễn Thái Học, Acting Secretary of the Lâm Đồng provincial Party Committee, highlighted the significance of launching this premium train during the festive Christmas season, calling it an impressive initiative to celebrate the flower festival.The 10th Đà Lạt Flower Festival, taking place from December 5-31, features 45 programmes, including ten main events such as a New Year’s music show, an international seminar on green tourism and cultural industries, a “wine – tea – coffee street”, and a flower parade with floats and fashion. Lâm Đồng aims to draw 2 million visitors during the festival. — VNA/VNS

Preserving the “essence of Đà Lạt” important to attracting international tourists: experts

Đà Lạt city plans to attract more tourists with its focus on green tourism. Photo bvhttdl.gov.vn

LÂM ĐỒNG  Đà Lạt is focusing on green tourism and leveraging cultural industries rooted in the natural landscape, biodiversity, and the rich local culture to attract more international visitors.Despite consistently ranking among the most sought-after destinations for domestic travellers, the resort city Đà Lạt in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng has yet to make a significant impression on the international tourism map.The city plans to attract more tourists, especially foreign visitors, with green and sustainable tourism.In early this month, the streets of Đà Lạt, especially in the heart of downtown like Xuân Hương Lake, Lâm Viên Square, and Đà Lạt Market, are bustling with visitors from across the globe.Among them are tour groups from South Korea, China, Indonesia, and India, travelling for leisure or combining tourism with business events.Dung Nguyễn, a representative of Đà Lạt Wonderland, said that the resort has maintained a 70 per cent occupancy rate during the week days and has been fully booked on weekends since early December. “The shift in foreign visitor trends after the pandemic reflects the success of promotional efforts by the local tourism sector,” Dung said.For nature enthusiasts, The Florest – Hoa Trong Rừng (Flowers in the Forest), Đà Lạt’s largest flower garden located 20 kilometres from the city centre, is a must-visit. Chosen as the venue for introducing international experts and tourists on December 17, The Florest amazed visitors with its vibrant flower fields surrounded by expansive forests and mountains.A group of specialists from Suphan Buri, Thailand, expressed their admiration for the picturesque flower hills. Apinya, a member of the group, said that the weather, food, and scenery had delighted everyone at the party.Nguyễn Thị Hảo, manager of The Florest, highlighted the garden’s advantages for sustainable tourism development. Spanning 60 hectares, with 25 hectares currently in use, the garden features various flowers such as dahlias, hydrangeas and roses. It focuses on ecological conservation and preserving local flora and fauna.“We follow a clean agriculture model for sustainable growth, aiming for higher standards. Alongside this, we integrate local culture with agritourism to captivate visitors,” Hảo said.

Đà Lạt ranks among the top three domestic destinations favoured by Vietnamese travellers in 2024. Photo thanhnien.vn

StrategiesAccording to Outbox Intelligence, Đà Lạt ranked among the top three domestic destinations favoured by Vietnamese travellers in 2024. Outbox Company Director Phước Đặng said that 89.3 per cent of domestic visitors come to the city to relax, drawn by its mild climate and beautiful natural landscape.However, a survey by Agoda, released on December 17, revealed that Đà Lạt ranks second among domestic destinations searched by Vietnamese tourists for the Lunar New Year holidays. Despite this, it remains absent from the list of international travellers’ choices for New Year’s Eve celebrations.Jackie Ong, PhD, a senior lecturer in tourism and hospitality management at RMIT University Việt Nam, said that Đà Lạt has only recently gained recognition in the global tourism community. This highlights its untapped potential for attracting foreign visitors.“My niece recently had a short holiday in Việt Nam and chose to spend 24 hours in Đà Lạt,” Ong said. “Even though I offered suggestions, she explored the city on her own, likely guided by online information. For many visitors, Đà Lạt remains a city of flowers and romance. However, younger tourists see it as a city with cool weather, unique spaces, trendy cafés, and delicious food. The chilly weather is a distinctive feature that sets Đà Lạt apart from other hot-climate destinations,” he said.Tạ Thị Tú Uyên, a representative of Vietravel, said that Đà Lạt’s tourism offerings are primarily designed for domestic tourists. In contrast, international travellers seek deeper, exploratory experiences that reflect cultural identity.“They travel less frequently, move slowly, but demand in-depth experiences. To attract international visitors, Đà Lạt needs tailored products and enhanced publicity and promotion strategies,” Uyên suggested.To capitalise on global markets, Đà Lạt should invest significantly in tourism infrastructure, particularly in upgrading Liên Khương Airport into an international transport hub. Developing high-end and unique tourism products, such as agricultural exploration tours and world-class events, could be transformative in drawing international crowds. Collaborating with digital platforms to promote Đà Lạt’s image to global audiences is also essential.Uyên emphasised that while Đà Lạt is being positioned as a creative city, its reputation as the “City of Flowers” should not be overlooked. This can elevate cultural value and align tourism with agriculture.“International visitors often seek authentic local qualities and natural beauty in the places they visit. It’s essential to preserve the unique ‘essence of Đà Lạt’,” Uyên said. VNS

Premium tourist train “La Reine” launched for Đà Lạt – Trại Mát route

Tourists enjoy music performance on “La Reine” (Queen) tourist train. VNA/VNS Photo Chu Quốc Hùng

ĐÀ LẠT — The Vietnam Railways Corporation has officially launched its high-quality “La Reine” (Queen) tourist train at Đà Lạt Station in the Central Highlands of Lâm Đồng, serving passengers on the Đà Lạt  – Trại Mát route.The December 24 evening launch was part of the ongoing Đà Lạt Flower Festival 2024, aiming to offer passengers a fresh travel experience and meet the growing demand for rail services.Inspired by the architectural elegance of the Palace of Queen Nam Phương, wife of King Bảo Đại– the last of the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802 – 1945), in Đà Lạt  City, the train’s carriages boast a luxurious and sophisticated design that combines Indochinese and French styles, with technical upgrades for enhanced comfort. Notably, the train features VIP compartments with 12 seats, catering to families seeking private travel spaces.Đào Anh Tuấn, General Director of the Vietnam Railways JSC, said the Đà Lạt  nighttime tourist train service was inaugurated on April 14 this year. Over the course of 2024, the Đà Lạt – Trại Mát route operated 3,050 trips, an annual increase of 69 per cent, carrying 276,567 passengers, up 75 per cent year-on-year.The high-quality Đà Lạt – Trại Mát tourist train was launched in efforts to provide quality transport services, he noted.Nguyễn Thái Học, Acting Secretary of the Lâm Đồng provincial Party Committee, highlighted the significance of launching this premium train during the festive Christmas season, calling it an impressive initiative to celebrate the flower festival.The 10th Đà Lạt Flower Festival, taking place from December 5-31, features 45 programmes, including ten main events such as a New Year’s music show, an international seminar on green tourism and cultural industries, a “wine – tea – coffee street”, and a flower parade with floats and fashion. Lâm Đồng aims to draw 2 million visitors during the festival. — VNA/VNS

Doda blanketed in fresh snowfall, draws tourists from all over India

Bhaderwah, a serene town nestled in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, is currently witnessing an influx of tourists, drawn by the region’s fresh snowfall that blanketed the area on Tuesday.  

In the Bhaderwah area, visitors could be seen joyfully playing in the snow, building snowmen, and soaking in the winter charm. 

To keep warm, they gathered around bonfires, sipping hot tea.  Balkrishan, an official from the Bhaderwah Development Authority, shared his excitement about the season’s second snowfall and the growing tourist interest.  

“This is not just a local attraction; we have tourists from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and other states. We’ve made sure to inspect all facilities and ensure everything is in place for the tourists’ comfort,” he said.  

For many visitors, the experience was nothing short of magical.  

Aakash, a first-time traveller to Bhaderwah, expressed his delight: “We heard so much about this place from our friends, and it has exceeded our expectations. It’s my first time here, and I’m completely enchanted. My heart feels light, and happy,” he shared.  

Shivam Gupta, a tourist from Agra, was equally impressed by the region’s beauty.  — ANI

Doda blanketed in fresh snowfall, draws tourists from all over India

Bhaderwah, a serene town nestled in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, is currently witnessing an influx of tourists, drawn by the region’s fresh snowfall that blanketed the area on Tuesday.  

In the Bhaderwah area, visitors could be seen joyfully playing in the snow, building snowmen, and soaking in the winter charm. 

To keep warm, they gathered around bonfires, sipping hot tea.  Balkrishan, an official from the Bhaderwah Development Authority, shared his excitement about the season’s second snowfall and the growing tourist interest.  

“This is not just a local attraction; we have tourists from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and other states. We’ve made sure to inspect all facilities and ensure everything is in place for the tourists’ comfort,” he said.  

For many visitors, the experience was nothing short of magical.  

Aakash, a first-time traveller to Bhaderwah, expressed his delight: “We heard so much about this place from our friends, and it has exceeded our expectations. It’s my first time here, and I’m completely enchanted. My heart feels light, and happy,” he shared.  

Shivam Gupta, a tourist from Agra, was equally impressed by the region’s beauty.  — ANI