Hanoi makes tourism gains

The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism estimates the capital city attracted 1.9 million international visitors in 2011 an increase of 11% over 2010.

The four strongest markets were China supplying 309,000 visits (+19%); Japan 115,000 (+13%); Australia 109,000 visits (+28%); and South Korea 53,000 visits (+22%).

Hanoi benefited in 2010 from new international air services that linked the capital to major tourist source markets with nonstop flights. There were increases in low-cost airline services within Asia that also broadened the city’s tourism base.

In addition, domestic travel reached 11.66 million visits improving 10% over 2010.

To boost tourist arrivals in 2012, the tourism department is drawing up plans to support craft villages and cultural heritage sites including developing more tours to recommended destinations such as Lao Cai, Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh provinces.

In the city itself, the emphasis will be on designating streets as pedestrian ways during certain hours of the day, possibly in Hoan Kiem district.

This will help to overcome a major criticism that the capital is not tourist friendly due to heavy traffic congestion that makes it difficult to cross roads in popular shopping and tourist districts.

The authorities will also organise international tourism fairs and host the 11th meeting of the Council for Promotion of Tourism in Asia.

Source - ttrweekly