Tourism development potential praised

VGP – Viet Nam ranks second in Asia in terms of tourism development potential, according to a survey unveiled at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London recently.

December 06, 2013 6:58 PM GMT+7

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In 2012, international tourists to Viet Nam numbered 6.8 million and domestic visitors, 32 million, 27 times and 32 times higher than 1990, respectively. The turnover from tourism reached VND160 billion, 118 times higher than in 1990, which contributed a lot to the country’s GDP.

Image of the Vietnamese tourism has been known at the regional and international tourism markets, becoming the one with highest growing rate in Asia-Pacific.

WTM’s Director Simon Press said that Asia leads the world’s tourism development potential, with China leading. It is followed by Viet Nam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia and the Philippines.

Latest statistics from the United Nations’ World Travel Organization show that international tourists to Asia-Pacific has increased averagely by 6 percent in the first half of 2013, with the number to South Asia increasing 7 percent and to Southeast Asia rising 12 percent.

Nearly 30 Vietnamese enterprises joined the WTM in London to seek for opportunities and expand their business market as well as promote the country’s image.

The market was held for management agencies, tour operators, hotels and relevant enterprises. The organizer said that the number of visitors at this year’s WTM notably increased by 14 per cent compared to the previous year. There were about 23,000 visitors on the first day.

By Ngoc Van