Promoting Vietnam as an attractive Meeting, Incentive, Convention, andExhibition (MICE) destination will be a key factor in developing thenation's tourism sector, said director of Hoa Binh Tourist andConvention Company Nguyen Khac Huyen.
MICE tourism has attracted alarge number of visitors to Vietnam, with many of the country's majorcities playing host to a wide range of international events, includingHanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
"The authorities shouldrecognise that MICE tourism brings a big profit for [the] Vietnamesetourism industry. That's why we have to put investment behind it," hesaid.
"Tourism companies estimate that Western and Asian touristsspend an average of 700-1,000 USD and 400 USD per day, respectively,"said Huyen.
"The economic benefit of MICE tourism is six times more than traditional leisure-based tourism," he said.
Researchshows that after attending business events, MICE visitors then engagein tourism activities exploring Vietnam's natural landscapes andcultural hotspots.
Seeking to capitalise on the trend, domestictravel operators have seized the opportunity to organise trips to DaNang and HCM City. Seminars have also been organised to raise thequality of tours offered to MICE travellers.
Huyen suggestedthat recognising the unique characteristics of MICE tourists andtraining professional tour guides would be important to building thecountry's MICE tourism sector.
"We also lack the human resources to organise high-level meetings and summits," he said.
"It's necessary to train interpreters to serve at these conferences."
NguyenThi Kim Lien, Vice Director of Vitours, is leading a push to bring moreMICE tourism to Da Nang. She said Da Nang was an ideal place for MICEtourism in Asia, with beautiful attractions, high-ranking hotels andconference facilities.
"After a working day at the conferenceroom, tourists love to join team building activities on the beach orenjoy traditional art performances," she said.
"In my opinion, we should add night-time activities to the tourists' schedule," said Lien.
"MICEtourists often come in groups of hundreds, so we should take advantageof this opportunity to introduce traditional Vietnamese culture andart," she said.
An association of MICE tourism enterprises would also help capitalise on the growing market, said Huyen.
"Thereare thousands of travel businesses working in the MICE sector. It'stime to establish a society of MICE travel agents to focus on MICEtourism development."
"Together, we can solve the shortcomings, support each other and improve the service quality," he said.-VNA
MICE tourism has attracted alarge number of visitors to Vietnam, with many of the country's majorcities playing host to a wide range of international events, includingHanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
"The authorities shouldrecognise that MICE tourism brings a big profit for [the] Vietnamesetourism industry. That's why we have to put investment behind it," hesaid.
"Tourism companies estimate that Western and Asian touristsspend an average of 700-1,000 USD and 400 USD per day, respectively,"said Huyen.
"The economic benefit of MICE tourism is six times more than traditional leisure-based tourism," he said.
Researchshows that after attending business events, MICE visitors then engagein tourism activities exploring Vietnam's natural landscapes andcultural hotspots.
Seeking to capitalise on the trend, domestictravel operators have seized the opportunity to organise trips to DaNang and HCM City. Seminars have also been organised to raise thequality of tours offered to MICE travellers.
Huyen suggestedthat recognising the unique characteristics of MICE tourists andtraining professional tour guides would be important to building thecountry's MICE tourism sector.
"We also lack the human resources to organise high-level meetings and summits," he said.
"It's necessary to train interpreters to serve at these conferences."
NguyenThi Kim Lien, Vice Director of Vitours, is leading a push to bring moreMICE tourism to Da Nang. She said Da Nang was an ideal place for MICEtourism in Asia, with beautiful attractions, high-ranking hotels andconference facilities.
"After a working day at the conferenceroom, tourists love to join team building activities on the beach orenjoy traditional art performances," she said.
"In my opinion, we should add night-time activities to the tourists' schedule," said Lien.
"MICEtourists often come in groups of hundreds, so we should take advantageof this opportunity to introduce traditional Vietnamese culture andart," she said.
An association of MICE tourism enterprises would also help capitalise on the growing market, said Huyen.
"Thereare thousands of travel businesses working in the MICE sector. It'stime to establish a society of MICE travel agents to focus on MICEtourism development."
"Together, we can solve the shortcomings, support each other and improve the service quality," he said.-VNA
