Tourist prices in Vietnam have increased by 30 per cent since 2007 due to the pressure of world market price hikes, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Tran Chien Thang said.
“The rise has put negative impacts on the country’s service quality, competitiveness and ability to attract visitors,” Thang said.
Despite difficulties the Vietnamese tourism sector maintains its high growth rate, Thang said, adding the country boasts more favorable conditions than those of surrounding countries such as nature, culture, and a stable society and economy.
In the first seven months of 2008, the country welcomed more than 2.7 million international tourist arrivals, up 8.6 per cent on-year. This also proves that Vietnam is still attractive to foreigners.
Currently, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is implementing long-term projects to develop the tourism sector. The administration has submitted to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for approval, a strategy for tourism development till 2020 and toward 2030, a plan to develop tourism in the Vietnam - Laos – Cambodia border region, and a plan to develop sea, island and coastal regions till 2020.
“We’re also boosting research projects to develop new tourism products and programs to protect the environment,” Thanh added.
In the near future, the administration will co-operate with cultural and sport sectors as well as provinces and enterprises to diversify products and services.
From July to September, there will be a “promotion season” of the tourism sector.
This year, Vietnam target at VND64 trillion (US$3.7billion) revenues and so far this year, the sector has earned VND24 trillion (US$1.4 billion).
The tourism sector now contributes 8 per cent to Vietnam’s national GDP. (Economy & Urban Area, Vietnam & World Economy)
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