ASEAN tourism: a key industry

Tourism Investment Forum 2010 ASEAN recently took place in Ho Chi Minh City with the topic: “Tourism Investment: Challenges and Opportunities.” This is an international specialized event with deeply political and economic meaning, which contributes to promote tourism images of Vietnam and ASEAN countries.

ASEAN rapid tourismgrowth

Speaking at the forum, Mr Hoang Tuan Anh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam said that, in recent years, ASEAN tourism has made remarkable progress, becoming one of the most important driving forces for socio- economic development and actively promoting understanding, cultural exchanges, strengthening peace and stability in the region. So as to overcome the obstacles and recover the growth, the tourism agencies of ASEAN member countries should continue to promote the leading role in encouraging cooperation to build up mechanism and common policies for tourism activities.

He also stressed, Vietnam would create favorable conditions for domestic and foreign investments into this field. Since Vietnam officially became a member of ASEAN, Vietnam Tourism has also actively contributed to the implementation of the roadmap for integration in the region.

Despite influences of the global economic crisis, in 2009 ASEAN welcomed over 62 million visitors, an increase of 59.7 % in comparison with that in 2000. The regional growth in the number of tourists is higher than average rate of the world, which is a result of the favourable tourism policies among ASEAN countries.

In ASEAN, many countries consider tourism a key economic sector and a major source of national income such as Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia etc. ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum helps to promote tourism image of Vietnam in particular and of ASEAN in general. The Forum is to provide opportunities for ASEAN countries to expose, exchange information with potential investors as well as help the parties to discuss in order to resolve difficulties and confusion in the process of tourism investments in ASEAN.

Besides, ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) has created favourable conditions for the member countries and the Third ones to investment in this area. According to Ms Nguyen Thi Bich Van – Deputy Head of Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Planning and Investment, the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) has greatly promoted investment in the field of tourism.

Strengths of Vietnam tourism

Minister Hoang Tuan Anh said Vietnam has advantages to develop tourism in the future. Vietnam has a long history of struggles for national construction and defence of the world’s recognition. With old culture and 54 ethnic groups, Vietnam has lots of beautiful sceneries and world heritages. Vietnam has abundant tourism resources; and finally, infrastructure is constantly developed and expanded.

Until now, Vietnam’s tourism industry has expanded its investment to 40 localities with three key places: historic and culture tourism in the north, island tourism in the middle and garden and hick Mekong tourism in the south.

At the forum, Minister also said the Ministry is to set priority in developing domestic tourism so that Vietnamese people have more opportunities to travel. – VCCI

Tags: Asean tourism