ASEAN converted into diversified tourism destination

The Deputy PM expressed his hope at the opening ceremony of the 2019 ASEAN Tourism Forum on January 16 in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh province. 

According to Deputy PM Dam, ASEAN was established and has been unceasingly grown up on the basis of consensus and united identity under three pillars namely politics-security; economics; culture-society. Especially, the tourism sector is directly related and influences the three pillars. 

All ASEAN member states attach importance to tourism development; regarding it as an important part of the national economy, job creation, and poverty reduction. In 2018, the number of international guests to ASEAN surged by 10%, higher than the average rate of 8% in the Asian Pacific Region and 6.9% of the world. ASEAN is one of the most dynamic tourism development regions in Asia and the Asia Pacific Region. 

The importance of Viet Nam's tourism sector.

In Viet Nam, tourism increased by 30%, accounting for 70% of service export turnover. Tourism was defined as a  spearhead economic field by making about 8% of GDP. Noticeably, tourism growth has served to transform economic structure; perfect urban and rural faces; uphold and develop cultural value; strengthen peace and friendly. 

Hence, the Deputy PM Dam stressed that the 2019 ASEAN Tourism Forum is an important event for every member of the bloc to cooperate with partners and international organizations to develop sustainable tourism; enhance cultural exchanges; friendly cooperation in favor of peace and prosperity in the region and the world.  

Under the theme “ASEAN-The Power of One,” Mr. Dam proposed delegates discuss and approve some priorities especially converting ASEAN into a common destination of high quality and identity for higher competitiveness. 

The Deputy PM underlined the necessity to boost internal tourism so that regional residents would enjoy opportunities to visit, exchange culture; consolidate understanding; contribute to ASEAN Community building. 

Mr. Dam also called on regional countries to mobilize resources from all economic components to invest in infrastructure, service establishment.

Especially, ASEAN member states should accelerate mechanisms of cooperation, product development, manpower training; and exchanges of skilled-vocational workers; ensure security for visitors. 

The ATF 2019 brought together around 2,000 delegates from national tourism agencies of the ASEAN countries, the UNWTO, and local and international travel companies and tourism media outlets.

The ATF 2019 is an opportunity for Viet Nam to assert its position in regional tourism cooperation and introduce its huge potential.

Founded in 1981, ATF is a regional effort to promote ASEAN as one tourist destination. The annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member states.

This year, the event also includes India, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia and China./.

By Kim Anh