The central province of Quang Nam hosted a record 2.3 million tourists in the first eight months of this year, earning 3 trillion VND (143 million USD).
The figure was announced on Aug. 30 at a conference in Hoi An Town to sum up 15 years of Quang Nam tourism.
Last year, the province,home to world heritage sites Hoi An, My Son sanctuary, and ChamIsland biosphere reserve, hosted 2.5 million tourists.
In 1997 the province earned only 47 billion VND (2.2 million USD).
"We have made efforts in building charming destinations while travel agencies have made great contributions to the provincehaving gained record earnings from tourism," said Vice Chairman ofQuang Nam People's Committee Tran Minh Ca, adding that Hoi An hadlaunched free wireless internet for tourists in the Old Quarter.
"The province plans to be the centre of the tourism industry among the central provinces by 2020. We have made efforts to create the most favourable conditions for investors in tourism," he said, adding that the province had already attracted 110 tourism projects.
Investors have built 80 international standard hotels and resorts with a total 5,000 rooms while the provincial tourism industry have created 15,000 jobs, he said.
"We are proud that the provincestill preserves cultural values as well as a healthy environment andfriendly hospitality," said Vice Chairman of Hoi An People's CommitteeTruong Van Bay.
"Hoi An has boostedsustainable development in tourism and promoted environmentalprotection," Bay said. "We also are looking at developing eco-tour sitesin the town."
Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee has co-operated with international organisations in building Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary as safe and green destinations.-VNA