Vietnam ranks third in tourism rebound in region

Vietnam ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of tourism
rebound, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The
August Interim Update of the UNWTO Tourism Barometer said that the
first six months of 2010 saw international tourist arrivals by 7
percent.

Growth was positive in all world regions, led by a
robust performance of emerging economies at 8 percent compared to 6
percent in advanced economies. Asia and the Pacific (14 percent) and the
Middle East (20 percent), where results were already positive in the
second half of 2009, continue to lead growth in the first half of 2010
with the majority of destinations in both regions posting double digit
growth rates.

“Asia in particular is experiencing a
very dynamic rebound, with strong results from Sri Lanka (49 percent),
Japan (36 percent), Vietnam (35 percent), Myanmar (35 percent), Hong
Kong (China) (23 percent), Macao (China) (23 percent), Singapore (23
percent), Fiji (22 percent) and the Maldives (21 percent). Thailand
(14 percent) posted encouraging results in spite of the political unrest
early this year,” the organisation said.

However, the organisation said despite a clear recovery in international tourism, it is necessary to remain cautious.

According
to the organisation, international tourist arrivals totalled 421
million during the first six months of 2010, up 7 percent on 2009.

UNWTO maintains its initial forecast of international tourist arrivals growing by 3-4 percent for 2010./.

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Foreign tourist arrivals on the rise

Tourists enjoy ethnic hand-made products at Bac Ha Culture Market in the nothern mountainous province of Lao Cai. Viet Nam has launched a range of tourist programmes since the beginning of this year, with foreign visitor numbers in August increasing by 4.4 per cent over July. — VNA/VNS Thanh Tung

HA NOI — Visitors to Viet Nam in August increased by 4.4 per cent over July, to a total of 427,900 for the month, the General Statistics Office said.

Of those, 80,500 visitors arrived by road; 343,000 by plane and 4,500 by sea, the office said.

The number was up 37.7 per cent against August last year, bringing the total for the first eight months of this year to 3.35 million visitors.

The highest increase was from Cambodia, up 104.4 per cent, followed by mainland China (98.5 per cent), Thailand (36.1 per cent), South Korea (29 per cent,) Australia (28.3 per cent), Malaysia (21.6 per cent), Japan (21.3 per cent), Taiwan (21 per cent), France (13 per cent) and the US (0.7 per cent).

The industry expects to be busy with its "Impressive Viet Nam" sale this month and next.

Meanwhile, people have been frantically searching for outbound tours since Friday was declared a holiday for State employees, bridging the gap between Independence Day, on Thursday, and the weekend.

Hong Mai of Ha Noi said she had made plans to take her family to the countryside until the extra day off was announced, making a trip out of the country a viable option.

However, the decision came to late, she said. Mai could not find a suitable tour because most were full.

Tour companies said they had either closed off many tours or there were only a few isolated seats left.

Ha Noi Redtour deputy director Nguyen Cong Hoan said he had been swamped with customers the day after the announcement was made last week.

On the first morning, 15 people booked Singapore tours, 10 chose Hong Kong tours and 17 selected Malaysia, he said.

Vietsky Travel spokeswoman Thu Hien said all outbound tours were full and they had turned away many disappointed customers. — VNS

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