The number of foreign tourists to Vietnam by cruise ships is stillrelatively low and has yet to meet the potential provided by thecountry’s advantageously long coastline, a conference heard in thecentral province of Thua Thien-Hue on April 16.
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho AnhTuan, about 3-5 percent of international tourists visit Vietnam by seaeach year.
Asia is now considered an attractivedestination for big tourism ships with many modern seaports, Tuan said,adding that an estimated 3.7 million foreigners will choose cruise shipsto go to Asian countries by 2017.
Vietnamdefines its maritime economy, including maritime tourism, as one of itskey development orientations in the time ahead. This is clearlyreflected in the tourism development strategy by 2020 with a vision to2030, approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
Accordingly, the country will focus on increasing the quality ofmaritime tourism products, improving the capacity of hospitality staffserving tourists by sea and simplifying customs and administrativeprocedures they face, the deputy minister added.
During the conference, participants proposed encouraging investment inmodern shopping centres and entertainment services near beaches andseaports to lengthen visitors’ stay and increase their expenditure.
They also suggested relevant agencies coordinate with the Asia CruiseAssociation to attract more international tourists using cruise shipsto Vietnam.-VNA
According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho AnhTuan, about 3-5 percent of international tourists visit Vietnam by seaeach year.
Asia is now considered an attractivedestination for big tourism ships with many modern seaports, Tuan said,adding that an estimated 3.7 million foreigners will choose cruise shipsto go to Asian countries by 2017.
Vietnamdefines its maritime economy, including maritime tourism, as one of itskey development orientations in the time ahead. This is clearlyreflected in the tourism development strategy by 2020 with a vision to2030, approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
Accordingly, the country will focus on increasing the quality ofmaritime tourism products, improving the capacity of hospitality staffserving tourists by sea and simplifying customs and administrativeprocedures they face, the deputy minister added.
During the conference, participants proposed encouraging investment inmodern shopping centres and entertainment services near beaches andseaports to lengthen visitors’ stay and increase their expenditure.
They also suggested relevant agencies coordinate with the Asia CruiseAssociation to attract more international tourists using cruise shipsto Vietnam.-VNA
