TTO_April_2018_web3

Vietnam to host ATF
Vietnam will be the
host of next year`s
Asean Tourism Forum
and the event will
take place in Ha Long,
north of the capital
Hanoi.
With close to 13
million international
arrivals in 2017,
Vietnam established
a new tourism record
last year and was
the fastest growing
tourism destination in
ASEA.
Dr Ha Van Sieu, vice chairman of
Vietnam Nation Tourism Ministry:
“Tourism authorities in Vietnam had
good reason to celebrate at the end of
last year. 2017 will certainly remain in
memory as an exceptional year in terms
of tourism performance. In just one year,
arrivals jumped by 29.1%, missing by a
fraction the 13-million travellers mark”.
The country recorded 12,922,121
international travellers, a performance
that can be attributed to simplified
entrance conditions for all travellers
thanks to e-visa (40 countries can benefit
of it), the abolition of visas for a few other
countries in Europe (including France,
Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) and
the multiplication of air links.
Growth by air was indeed strong, jumping
by 32.1%. This is largely due to the
increased frequency of flights to Hanoi,
Ho Chi Minh City and Danang but also
increasingly to secondary destinations.
Nha Trang is emerging as an important
holiday destination with regular charter
flights from China, Russia and Korea.
Dr Ha Van Sieu looks forward to organize next year`s Asean Tourism Forum I Ha Long in
Vietnam with the help of TTG Asia Events.
In recent months, low cost carrier Vietjet also launched international flights to Dalat
and Haiphong, Bangkok Airways and AirAsia to Phu Quoc Island in the south offering
alternative gateways for travellers. Air arrivals represented 84.5% of all arrivals last
year.
Other markets recording exceptional double-digit growth last year were South Korea,
Russia and Taiwan, up respectively by 56.5%, 32% and 21%.
2018 looks ready to bring another stellar performance for Vietnam tourism. More
flights are due to be opened; for example to the United States, with Vietnam Airlines
due to fly to either Los Angeles or San Francisco.
An important event is the opening of a new international airport in Halong Bay. Due
to be opened by the end of the year, it will offer a capacity for three million passengers.
With a new convention centre and international chains moving into Halong Bay City,
the area will not only be a major attraction for leisure travellers but also become a new
destination for MICE organisers.
According to government’s projections for tourism, 2018 should generate 15.5 million
international arrivals and see 78 million domestic visitors.
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