Hanoi (VNA) – Nearly 200 enterprises nationwide have teamed up to develop new tourism products and accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector in the north-central region after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nguyen Ngoc Tan, chairman of the tourism club of young entrepreneurs, said the club is set to help its members in business and form a nationwide network, targeting both high volume and value.
It promotes ethics, business culture, social responsibility and national spirit, as well as the pioneering role of young entrepreneurs, he added.
Last year, although there were still difficulties caused by the pandemic, the firms worked hard to promote domestic tourism and expand the market, he said, adding that the club will step up cooperation with localities and organisations this year to attract investment and offer new products, contributing to turning the industry into an economic spearhead.
Notably, it will focus on connecting young entrepreneurs and enterprises to create a firm “alliance” in service of the sector’s recovery and development, Tan continued.
A trip to the “Lang ca go” (wooden fish village) in Quynh Doi village, the central province of Nghe An, the homeland of late President Ho Chi Minh, from January 15-16 marked the first activity of the “alliance” this year, with the participation of nearly 200 representatives from state management agencies, local tourism associations, and travel firms across the country.
During the trip, the businesspeople learned about traditional culture, and visited relic sites associated with the beloved President, and other prominent figures like Ho Xuan Huong, one of Vietnam's most famous poets and known as 'The Queen of Nom Poetry', revolutionaryt Ho Tung Mau, and armed force hero Cu Chinh Lan.
After the tour, they participated in a conference on tourism promotion in the north-central region, during which they committed to working together to boost regional tourism development.
Pham Van Thuy, deputy head of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), pointed to rosy signs of the tourism sector which significantly contributed to national economic growth last year.
They agreed that efforts in market restructuring and product diversification are on the right track and prove the efficiency of the new visa policy and promotion activities, he said, noting that Vietnam’s tourism has been advanced both in reality and online.
The authority will further its support for localities and businesses, especially in technical issues, and create optimal conditions for young entrepreneurs to boost their creativity and pioneering role, the official pledged.
Over the past time, travel firms have stepped up the building of new tourism products, personnel training, connectivity and promotion activities in an effort to push ahead with tourism recovery, heard the conference.
On this occasion, the participants witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the club and localities and units, and between its members and enterprises in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.
2023 was a successful year for the tourism sector with a large number of visitors and enhanced reputation in the world arena, according to insiders.
Last year, the country received 12.6 million foreign arrivals, 3.5 times higher than in 2022, exceeding the target set at the beginning of the year by 57%.
The number of domestic tourists hit 108 million, 5.85 higher than the target. The sector’s revenue was estimated at 27 billion USD, surpassing the goal by over 3% and equivalent to 90% of the figure recorded in 2019.
In the year, Vietnam's tourism was highly evaluated internationally, receiving many awards from the World Travel Awards, including the World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2023 for the fourth time and Asia’s Leading Destination.
Many localities of Vietnam were honoured. Notably, the capital city of Hanoi won the “Asia's Leading City Destination 2023” and "Asia's Leading City Break Destination 2023” awards. Meanwhile Ho Chi Minh City won “Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destination” and “Asia's Leading Festival & Event Destination 2023” awards./.