US$776Mln Foreign Investment Injected into Tourism in First Half of 2007

The tourism industry of Vietnam granted licenses to 17 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects worth US$776 million in the first half of this year, accounting for 15 per cent of the country’s total FDI during the period, the National Administration for Tourism (VNAT) said.

 

Golf course and resort projects lured most investors, VNAT said, adding that a nationwide boom in golf is taking place with 14 golf courses in operation while 28 others are under construction.

 

Over the last decade, the total numbers of FDI projects and investments in the travel and leisure sector have mushroomed to 182 and US$4.3 billion respectively.

 

This year, Vietnam needs to mobilize more than VND3.5 trillion (US$218.8 million) to upgrade and build tourism infrastructure and key national tourist sites throughout the country, especially in Central Highlands region.

 

The tourism sector now contributes 8 per cent to the national GDP in Vietnam. (VNA, VietNamNet)