After the National Steering Committee for Tourism issued urgent solutions concerning tourism promotion, localities have started to take action to attract more tourists from major markets like Japan, the Republic of Korea and Russia, the Saigon Times Daily reported.

Da Nang city, Quang Ninh province and many Mekong Delta provinces have begun to work out their own tourism programmes to bolster inter-regional cooperation and find new markets.

Da Nang, for instance, plans to advertise itself as a safe and friendly destination for foreign tourists. The city’s tourism information portal in both Vietnamese and English will be launched this August. Besides, it will improve the free Wifi system to help tourists access the Internet easily.

Meanwhile, Quang Ninh province focuses on new markets, especially Russia, India and Europe. Cruise tourism is also on its radar.

Earlier, provinces in the Mekong Delta like An Giang, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Can Tho city have joined hands for an inter-regional tourism cooperation programme.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Tourism Department has organized road shows to introduce its tourism products in Japan. Regarding the domestic market, some travel firms in the city have arranged FAM trips to Phu Yen, An Giang and Thua Thien-Hue provinces.

According to the steering committee’s Document 1836 on urgent tourism solutions released early this month, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will coordinate with other ministries and travel firms to carry out activities to promote Vietnam’s tourism in key markets from now until September.

A main activity this month is to hold an international press conference in Hanoi to introduce the media campaign on tourism promotion dubbed “Exciting Vietnam-A Safe, Friendly and Attractive Destination.”

Besides, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will work with provinces, cities and tourism associations to meet travel firms and relevant organizations and find ways to overcome difficulties.

From now towards next year, management agencies will boost advertisements for domestic tourism, cooperate with regional markets to facilitate transport of tourists, and organize special road shows in Japan and the Republic of Korea.

In this media campaign, many FAM trips and press trips will be organized for travel and media representatives from potential and major markets to come to Vietnam. They will visit tourist destinations in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan and Can Tho.

Last year, Vietnam received more than 7,57 million foreign tourists, a yearly rise of 10.6 percent.-VNA