Forum discusses solutions for sustainable tourism development
Update: Dec 07, 2018
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chaired a tourism forum in Ha Noi on December 6 to discuss major measures to develop high-quality and sustainable tourism in Viet Nam by 2030.

As part of the Vietnam Economic Forum, the first-ever event was jointly organised by the Private Economic Development Research Board (Board IV); the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism; and the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB).

Addressing the forum, Deputy PM Dam stated that over the past few years, Viet Nam’s tourism has seen a more rapid growth rate than that of the general economy. However, it will be very difficult for the sector to keep its current growth rate as it is faced with a number of limitations in terms of visa policy and aviation infrastructure.

In order to maintain the tourism growth rate of 30%, Viet Nam should diversify products and increase the quality of its tourism sector, as well as use information technology to address difficulties facing the sector, he said.

In the future, the Government will focus on developing smart tourism, calling for the engagement of businesses and the public in this effort, he added.

The Deputy PM expressed his wish that the tourism sector will take the lead in promoting Viet Nam’s economic development, helping to raise the country’s rankings in terms of business environment and competitiveness.

The forum offers an opportunity for domestic and foreign enterprises and investors to gain insight into the mechanisms, strategies, and potential for Viet Nam’s tourism, as well as challenges to its development.

Participants focused their discussions on such issues as restructuring Viet Nam’s tourism towards high-quality capacity and sustainability; promoting national tourism; improving visa policy, management capacity, and aviation infrastructure; attracting foreign investment; developing human resources; and applying technology in tourism development and management.

Viet Nam aims to raise the tourism sector’s contributions to the national GDP from 7.5% in 2017 to 12% in 2022, and create an additional 3 million direct jobs and 2.5 million indirect ones. It has also targeted attracting more domestic and foreign investments to the sector and improving the industry’s competitiveness.

VNA