By 2010, it’s expected to increase by more than 25%, creating an additional 30mil new jobs. WTTC forecasts that one-quarter of international visitors will visit the region and one-third of global visitor expenditure will be spent regionally.
Vietnam has the opportunity to grab a major slice of the action because it’s a new destination. The traveling public has already visited Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia and they are looking for the next Phuket, Langkawi or Bali. Vietnam has a number of resort locations that could, with foreign investment and know-how, be ‘the next destination’.
Because of historical and cultural reasons, Vietnam is not as advanced or open as its regional competitors. Tourists like to visit a country to see its landscape, the people and to experience the culture and food. The more unique offerings that a country has, increases its appeal and Vietnam has a lot to offer.
In order for Vietnam to benefit from tourism, it needs to compete with its regional neighbours. A five-year plan announced by the VNAT aims for 10 to 20% annual growth in foreign arrivals to more than six million in 2010 and doubling tourism revenues to $5bil in 2010. The government said it would spend $7.6mil from its state budget on the five-year programme.
I doubt how VNAT can effectively carry out their plans with such a modest fund, when the amount allocated is what Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia would probably spend in one year.
Vietnam is competing on the world stage and if the government wants to make tourism a ‘key driver’, they need to invest the dollars now, not after they get income from the tourists.
Filed under: Vietnam Tagged: | charm, continued, dollar, hidden, Vietnam
