2.7 million foreigners visit Quang Ninh in eight months

Ha Long Bay - a popular tourist destination in Quang Ninh (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh (VNA) – The northern province of Quang Ninh welcomed 2.7 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of 2017, up 20 percent from the same period last year.

The figure contributed to a 16-percent annual increase of the total tourist arrivals in the province during the period, reaching 7.34 million.

As a result, the local tourism sector reeled in nearly 11 trillion VND (484 million USD) in revenue, increasing 26 percent from last year.

The outcomes were attributable to new tourism products, better policies for strategic investors in tourism infrastructure, and heavy fines on travel agents offering low-quality services.

According to a report from the provincial Tourism Department, in the upcoming National Day holiday (September 2 – 4), the province will receive more than 70,000 visitors, including 15,000 foreigners.

Currently, all star-rated hotels in Ha Long city have been fully booked for the three-day vacation.

Quang Ninh has a special geopolitical and economic position with the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay as well as more than 600 natural landscapes and historical relic sites.

Quang Ninh has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and some 2,000 islets which account for two-thirds of the total in Vietnam. The spectacular stretch of coast connects the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay with majestic natural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don and Co To islands and Tra Co beach with Cat Ba National Park in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

Along with the renowned Ha Long Bay, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Dai beaches in Van Don island district and Tra Co and Vinh Thuc in Mong Cai city have grown in stature among tourists thanks to their breathtaking seas and coral reefs.

Under a plan for tourism development in Quang Ninh, the province hopes to become an international tourism centre and a leading tourism destination in Vietnam with modern infrastructure and diverse, competitive tourism products. 

By 2020, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 15-16 million tourists, including seven million foreigners, and rake in 30-40 trillion VND (1.3-1.7 billion USD) in revenue. The tourism sector is expected to contribute 14-15 percent to the gross regional domestic product. 

In 2016, Quang Ninh welcomed 8.3 million tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of seven percent, and earned over 13 trillion VND (571 million USD) in revenue, up 23 percent, according to the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism. 

Notably, the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay welcomed 6.3 million tourists and grossed 7.7 trillion VND (over 338 million USD) in revenue, representing respective increases of 14 percent and 65 percent from the previous year. About 2.7 million of the visitors were foreigners, year-on-year growth of 16 percent. -VNA​