Tourism up, but VNAT not satisfied
HA NOI — Even though tourism continues to soar, the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism believes there is still room for improvement.
During the first quarter of 2005, 36 per cent more foreign tourists entered the country than during the same period last year, according to Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
The number of local tourists has also risen by 7 per cent during the same period.
VNAT expects to welcome 3.2 million overseas tourists this year, up 14 per cent from last year.
VNAT expects the number of local visitors will rise by 10.5 per cent, reaching 15 million.
The industry is set up to reap a revenue of VND30 trillion (US$1.9 billion) this year, up 15 per cent over last year, said the administration.
However, the VNAT’s Director General Vo Thi Thang said the industry is still not reaching its potential because it is not yet co-operating with the trade industry effectively.
Income from tours and accommodation is still modest compared to the revenue tourists generate when buying goods, explained Thang.
She argued local enterprises should co-operate in a larger consortium, strong enough to compete when more international companies enter Viet Nam in the future.
"It is also essential for the policy-makers to scrutinise and reform the current legal systems, that are out of date with international rules in a bid to lure overseas investment," said Thang.
To attract more foreign travellers, the Government has to simplify immigration and customs procedures as well as remodel tourism promotion campaigns said Thang. — VNS
Ha Noi tourism corp expanded
As part of its long-term development plan, the Ha Noi Tourism Corporation is to be re-structured for operation as a multipurpose economic group capable of providing domestic and international services for the hotel and tourism sector.
To this end, the corporation will continue to expand and diversify operations, and will seek to continue its success in the tourism and hotel market across Viet Nam.
By 2008, the corporation plans to provide another 440 rooms in three- and four-star hotels, and lease 10,000 sq.m of office space, hoping to boost this figure by another 5,000sq.m by 2010.
Other measures will involve encouraging foreign and domestic investment in tourism infrastructure, entertainment projects, tourism resorts, and hotels, by promoting the image of Ha Noi as a tourist destination both within Viet Nam and internationally.
Throughout the rest of the year, the corporation will establish a joint-stock taxi company, complete work on current Thuy Tien, Holiday Inn and Hoa Binh hotel projects and begin work on the Doan Ket Village, Dan Chu and Ha Long II hotels. It is also working on several trade centre and apartment projects in Ha Noi.
In the first four months of the year, the corporation’s affiliates served 47,200 visitors, recording a turnover of VND104 billion (US$6.7 million). — VNS
Viet Nam News, May 20, 2005
