Nearly 100 businesses, travel agencies and hotels joined a promotional programme in the central city of Da Nang from this month through next March, offering a 10-60 percent discount for their service. The city's Culture, Sports and Tourism Department made the announcement at a press conference on the programme on September 10, stating that the programme is focused on tourists from mainland China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea and Japan. The United States and Australia are also being targeted by the programme. "We are focusing on international markets with direct air routes including the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Chinese-speaking countries and territories, as well as Hanoi, Hai Phong, HCM City, Can Tho and the Mekong Delta River," Le Thi Ai Diep from the department said. "Accommodation at some hotels could offer the highest discount of 60 percent in the low season (from September, when the rainy season starts)," she said, adding that 50 hotels had agreed to a 40-65 percent discount for travel agencies. Five-star hotel Furama in cooperation with low-cost carrier VietJetAir offered a promotional price of 9.8 million VND (466 USD) for a stay of three days and two nights at the resort, with a free return ticket for two from Da Nang to Hanoi or HCM City. Duong Nguyen Vu, head of marketing for Furama resort, said the city should launch the promotional programme ealier in Asia and Scandinavian countries for foreign travel agencies creating their travel plans. The central city's Cham Sculpture Museum – one of the most popular destinations – has offered a 50 percent discount on the ticket price for six months, from September to March, while Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountain) will also offer a 50 percent discount on tickets every Monday and Tuesday during the 6-month promotion. The Hoa Phu Thanh eco-tour site, 30km away from the city, will provide free entry from October to March. Water sports and recreational service centres at My Khe beach have also promised a discount of 10 to 50 percent in response to the city's promotional programme. Deputy General Director of Vietnam tourism joint-stock company, Vitours, Le Tan Thanh Tung suggested links between the city's travel agencies and partners in Hue and Quang Nam. The city plans to host a road show in Japan later this month as well as a number of press and travel agency trips from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Australia. The central coastal city, which lies within easy reach of the country's best heritage icons, including Phong Nha-Ke Bang in Quang Binh, Hue city and Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam, hosted 2.2 million tourists, of which 600,000 were foreigners, over the first half of this year, showing 24 percent growth compared with last year.-VNA