KOLs enhance effectiveness of Da Nang tourism promotion
DNO - An increasing number of KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) are promoting and introducing Da Nang’s destinations on various social media platforms, greatly contributing to bringing the image of local tourism closer to domestic and international travelers.
Each year, Da Nang welcomes an average of 50 KOLs and organizes events with the participation of KOLs.
One of the strengths of KOLs is their ability to spread images quickly and widely, especially among younger customers who are active on such social platforms as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
The articles, videos, and photos shared by KOLs not only advertise landscapes, architecture and cultural heritage, but also highlight local identity, offering visitors a more multidimensional view of the destination.
Notably, the cost of inviting KOLs is also much lower than that of traditional promotional campaigns as most of them are socialized with the support of service providers such as transportation, accommodation and restaurants.
Recent surveys show that many famous tourist attractions in the city including Hoi An Ancient Town, Bay Mau Nipa palm forest, Vinpearl Nam Hoi An, Han Market, Sun World Ba Na Hills and My Son Sanctuary have seen a surge in the number of young visitors after videos shared by YouTubers on social networks.
In the first 8 months of 2025, Da Nang welcomed about 12.8 million visitors, a rise of 20.8% over the same period in 2024, including 5 million international tourist arrivals.
Currently, the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center is developing a policy to attract KOLs, celebrities, and influencers to the city.
In particular, KOLs whose posts have high views and strong influence will be nominated by the unit for the city’s year-end rewards.
The invitation of KOLs is not carried out on a mass scale but based on specific criteria such as follower base, positive social impact, and no violation of legal regulations.
In addition, promotion strategies are tailored to each market. For Southeast Asia and South Korea where young people are highly engaged with social media, KOL-based promotion is prioritized. However, for European and American markets, traditional promotional methods remain essential to ensure consistency and diversity.
Tourism experts predict that when the KOLs solution is implemented systematically with appropriate target markets and strong tourism products, the strategy will not only help increase the number of visitors but also elevate the brand of Da Nang destination on the global tourism map.