The Politburo has issued a resolution on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector by 2020, contributing 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from the current 6.8 percent.

According to the resolution signed by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the tourism industry set records in 2016, with international arrivals up by two million from 2015.

Total revenues have surged by 62 trillion VND (2.76 billion USD). Both tourist numbers and revenues reached the targets set for 2020 four years earlier than expected.

The sector’s development has also contributed greatly to the conservation of the country’s culture heritage and natural resources, as well as improved the living standards of many Vietnamese.

However, the development of the sector has not reached its full potential, the resolution said. The sector’s products have not been sufficiently attractive and distinctive, the quality of tourism services has been limited while the state management has not been effective.

Human resources are another weakness, with tourism firms being mainly small and medium size, with limited experience.

Intersector coordination was still ineffective, the resolution also said.

The Politburo, thus, aims to develop tourism into one of the country’s key economic sectors, attracting 17 to 20 million visitors by 2020. Tourism revenues are expected to reach 35 billion USD, and four million new jobs are forecast.

In order to realise these goals, the resolution sets out several tasks.

Among them is the need to prioritise the development of the tourism infrastructure and develop highly attractive and distinctive products. Certain provinces and cities with potential and strengths in tourism sector will have to build their own projects.

The resolution also calls on relevant agencies to continue to improve the legal systems and policies to facilitate the development of the tourism sector. State agencies need to adopt policies for investment in tourism, such as allocating budgets for human resources training and promotion activities.

Other measures touched upon by the resolution include investment in tourism infrastructure, building and promotion of activities; creating a favourable environment for tourism firms and developing tourism human resources.

VNA