Danang Executive Meeting | Danang & Hoian Tourism & Hospitality Trends in 2025
Thursday, 13th February 2025
At this year’s Danang Executive Meeting, hosted by the Fusion Resort and Villas Da Nang, we were joined by the following panelists:
- Steven Wolstenholme, President & CEO – Hoiana Resort & Golf (Speaker)
- Ken Atkinson, OBE, Founder & Senior Board Advisor, Vice Chairman, Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board – Grant Thornton Vietnam (Speaker)
- Marcel Oostenbrink, General Manager – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (Speaker)
- Andre Pierre Gentzsch, Complex General Manager – Furama Resort Da Nang (Speaker)
- Nicole Weitsz, General Manager – Radisson RED Danang (Speaker)
- Victor Burrill, Chairman – Business Executive Network (Moderator)
The discussion provided diverse insights into market trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of Danang and Hoi An’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Danang’s Tourism Growth & Infrastructure Challenges
Danang’s tourism sector has undergone a significant transformation. Kenneth M. Atkinson OBE, FCPA (Aust.) highlighted its evolution from just 1,000 hotel rooms in 1993—with no high-end accommodations—to becoming an international hub. The launch of Furama Resort in 1997 and the introduction of international flights in 2005 were major milestones in the city’s development.
Despite this growth, infrastructure struggles to keep pace. Da Nang International Airport, originally designed for 10 million passengers annually, now handles 13.3 million arrivals. The increasing number of tourists, particularly from South Korea, China, and Japan, raises concerns about capacity constraints. To sustain growth, Danang must focus on enhancing infrastructure, expanding entertainment offerings, and increasing the average length of stay, which remains low at 1.4–1.5 nights per visitor.
Market Performance & Revenue Challenges
The discussion then shifted to market performance and revenue concerns. Marcel shared that 2023 welcomed 125,000 visitors, but 2024 saw a 79% surge to 224,000 unique customers. However, he expressed concerns about maintaining Average Daily Rates (ADR) amid increasing hotel inventory and rising competition. Finding the right balance between occupancy and pricing will be a key challenge for hoteliers moving forward.
Ken provided a different perspective. While his resort performed well in 2023, villa occupancy declined in 2024 and 2025. Fortunately, hotel rooms helped offset these losses, emphasizing the need for diversified accommodation options. He predicted 2025 will be a challenging year for the resort segment. To combat these difficulties, the industry must advocate for better destination marketing, improved visa policies, and stronger air connectivity to attract international visitors.
Gen Z Workforce: Challenges & Opportunities
Beyond infrastructure and market dynamics, the panel discussed the evolving workforce. Managing Gen Z employees presents unique challenges. Nicole and Marcel stressed the importance of fostering a culture of trust, career development, and flexibility to keep young talent engaged.
Interestingly, the panel noted key differences between Vietnamese Gen Z workers and their global counterparts. Unlike in other markets, Vietnam’s younger workforce is highly motivated, hardworking, and entrepreneurial. This presents a competitive advantage for the hospitality sector, as businesses can leverage this dynamic talent pool for sustainable growth.
MICE Tourism: A Major Untapped Opportunity
Another critical point was MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, a high-value segment that remains underdeveloped in Vietnam. Despite its potential, the country lacks the necessary infrastructure and industry representation to compete regionally.
Ken emphasized the importance of establishing a MICE association in Vietnam. A dedicated organization could help the industry attract large-scale international events, boosting both tourism revenue and economic growth. Without strategic investment, Vietnam risks falling behind regional competitors.
Key Takeaways & Industry Outlook
The Danang Executive Meeting provided valuable insights into the future of tourism and hospitality in Danang and Hoi An. Key takeaways included:
🔹 Expanding infrastructure and improving airport capacity to support rising arrivals.
🔹 Balancing hotel occupancy and pricing for sustainable revenue growth.
🔹 Engaging the Gen Z workforce through trust, development, and workplace flexibility.
🔹 Tapping into MICE tourism by investing in industry representation and infrastructure.
With a mix of opportunities and challenges, Danang and Hoi An must adapt to changing market dynamics to remain competitive. Industry leaders stressed the need for collaboration, investment, and strategic planning to drive sustainable tourism growth in the region.
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