It is currently observed that most visitors at many historical locations and exhibitions are from other places rather than locals. This tendency might stem from ticket prices and the perceived attractiveness of these places, but it can be addressed through effective measures by management.
To begin with, there are two compelling reasons why many locals do not visit museums or historically rich destinations in their areas. The foremost one is the price of entrance tickets. Specifically, some local people consider entrance tickets excessively high, causing them to prioritize more affordable pastime options. For example, London’s museums usually cost between $30 to $50 per visit, which is significantly more costly than a casual outing. Additionally, people are generally uninterested in learning more about regional attractions with which they might already be familiar. For instance, many Hanoians have never entered the Temple of Literature because they have been taught about its construction and cultural values repeatedly at school.
However, those in charge of museums and historical places can attract more local visitors through several methods. The most reasonable approach is to lower ticket prices for nearby residents. Managers might offer special discounts or even eliminate entrance fees for them. Although this might result in a reduction in ticket sales, it can be compensated by an increase in sales of souvenirs or refreshments during visits. Furthermore, it is imperative to offer thrilling experiences to all visitors. An illustrative example of this is the Military Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, where virtual reality has been adopted to allow people to immerse themselves in the tense atmosphere of battlefields. As this attraction has gone viral on Vietnamese social media, the number of local visitors has risen significantly in recent years.
In conclusion, local people do not visit museums and historical attractions mainly because of costly entrance fees and a low level of interest due to familiarity. However, if the management of these locations reduces ticket prices for residents and invests in enriching the visiting experience, they will soon welcome more locals as visitors to their sites.