Efforts sought to increase number of foreign holiday-makers in year end

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The Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) reported that in the 1995-2015 period, the number of foreign arrivals increased constantly at a yearly average rate of 15%. 

In the 2015-2018 period, foreign visitors grew from 7.9 million in 2015 to 15.5 million in 2018, up 1.95 times, at average rate of 25% per year. This was the record high growth period in the tourism development history. 

However, the number of foreign arrivals showed signs of slowdown. In the first seven months of 2019, Viet Nam welcomed nearly 9.8 million foreign guests, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.9%. 

VNAT Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu said that the growth rate declined as the Chinese market experienced a year-on-year decrease of 2.8%. 

Seeking solutions

Director of the Quang Ninh Tourism Department Pham Ngoc Thuy was quoted as saying that international tourists especially high paying travelers attached importance to security and safety. Vietnamese brand names are yet strong enough to make them confident. 

Mr. Thuy proposed favorable mechanisms which would attract strong brand names to Viet Nam. He also recommended domestic travel agents exploit cultural values, unique landscapes, raise manpower quality. 

In addition, Mr. Luong My Hung from Saigontourist called upon tourism promotion in potential markets including the U.S., Europe, Australia, ASEAN; building of attractive national tourism website. 

General Director of Sun World Duong Phu Nam quoted a comment from the World Tourism Organization as saying that about 10% of international tourists returned Viet Nam in the second time. Their spending levels remained extremely low. In the short term, China and the RoK were the most potential markets of Viet Nam./.

By Khanh Phuong