Vietnam bullish on tourism future

Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports estimates the tourism industry will  need US$42.5 billion in investments over the next 10 years to build competitiveness and quality.

The observations were made during a recent tourism development strategy meeting, held in Hanoi, 14 December, that studied tourism needs up to 2030.

Deputy prime minister, Nguyen Thien Nhan, who supervises the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, said Vietnam needed to develop a much stronger tourism industry if it was to become a key economic driver in the country.

“By 2020, Vietnam can attract 10 to 10.5 million international tourists and serve 47 to 48 million local visitors,” he said, adding that tourism would need to grow its proportion of  gross domestic product to 6.5% to 7% .

“This would require a growth of around 11% to 11.5% annually to achieve that goal,” he told delegates.

“ By 2030, Vietnam must strive to become a country with the most developed tourism sector in the region.”

In the short term, the goal is to attract 7 to 7.5 million international tourists and serve 35 to 37 million domestic visitors by 2015 with a tourism GDP contribution ratio at 5.5% to 6% of the country’s domestic growth. Hotel rooms will need to grow to 580,000 units by 2020 and to 900,000 by 2030 to meet demand.

To fuel growth the country needs US$42.5 billion in investment over the next 10 years.

Vietnam hopes to achieve 6 million foreign visitors this year.

From January to November, international travellers improved 17.83% from 5,420,624 visits compared to 4,600,285 visits over the same period in 2010.

China remains the largest market with 1,277,007 visits, up 53.29% from 833,081 visits during the same period last year. South Korea follows in second place supplying 483,480 visits increasing 7.35% from 450,373 visits. Japan ranks third with 434,007 visits improving 8.89% from 398,572 visits in 2010.

The United States is fourth with 396,470 visits growing slightly at 0.27% from 395,408 visits. Neighbouring Cambodia, in fifth place, supplies 381,659 visits increasing 63.30% from 233,714 visits.

Others suppliers are: Taiwan (325,426; +6.16%); Australia (261,171; +3.90%); Malaysia (210,129; +12.06%); France (190,581; +4.55%); and Thailand (163,880; -18.58%).

The bulk of arrivals for the first 11 months (4,537,678) passed through the two main aviation gateways Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City.

All of the top markets are in Asia/Pacific region with exception of the United State and France.

VNAT is promoting special events such as a Carnival Week in Halong Bay, an International Firework Competition in Danang, Marine Week in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province and various activities of the National Tourism Year in southern coastal provinces.

In 2010, there were 5,049,855 foreign tourists visit the country increasing 33.86% from 3,772,359 visits in 2009.

Source - ttrweekly