Deputy PM asks for more fresh initiatives to boost tourism

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam addressing the ceremony (Photo: VGP)

NDO – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has asked tourist businesses to have a common voice, action plan and solutions, and encourage more initiatives in order to boost the hospitality sector’s development while advertising Vietnam and its people.

Deputy PM Dam made the request at a ceremony held in Hanoi on July 8 to mark the 55th anniversary of Vietnam’s tourism sector (1960 – 2015).

Congratulating the sector’s outcomes over the past 55 years, the government official noted that the sector should not be complacent with the achievements, but rather exert more efforts for further and more sustainable development.

He stressed that the Party, State and government have issued many policies on removing obstacles for tourism’s growth, asking the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and relevant ministries and sectors to work out sound measures to realise the policies. He also ordered full participation of local authorities, asking them to address facts about the shortcomings and make comparison with other localities which have done well in boosting tourism.

Tourism associations and clubs were asked to represent their members to make suggestions to policies and guidelines on tourism.

The Deputy PM also called on every Vietnamese citizen to promote patriotism and take practical actions to make Vietnam a safe, friendly and attractive destination for foreign visitors.

On the occasion, the MCST presented the annual Vietnam Tourism Awards 2014 to outstanding travel agencies, hotels, carriers, shops and restaurants throughout the country. They included the top 10 five-star hotels, the top 10 four-star hotels, the top 10 three-star hotels, the top 10 domestic tour operators, the top 10 inbound tour providers, and the top 10 outbound tour providers.

Since its establishment in 1960, the tourism sector has become an important economic industry with significant contributions to national socio-economic development.

Vietnam welcomed 7.87 million foreign tourists and 38.5 domestic tourists in 2014, with a total revenue of VND 230 trillion (US$10.9 billion), contributing 6% to the national GDP. Tourism facilities and services have been modernised, and labour forces working in the field have been increased in both quality and quantity.

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