With growth in international visitors of 7.2 per cent per year and 5.3 per cent in domestic visitors, Vietnam’s tourism industry will achieve the target of becoming a key economic sector by 2020 if the global political and economic situation remains stable, according to a report released by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh on the tourism development strategy to 2020 and vision to 2030.

Key sector

The objective of the strategy is that, by 2020, tourism will become a key economic sector with modern infrastructure and tourism products of high quality, presenting Vietnam’s cultural identity and competing with other countries in the region and the world.

Vietnam is to welcome 10 to 10.5 million international tourists and 47 to 48 million domestic tourists by 2020, with total revenue reaching $18 to $19 billion, contributing 6.5 to 7 per cent of GDP. 

Total stays will reach 580,000 rooms, with 35 to 40 per cent of rooms being three to five stars, employing 870,000 people directly and 3 million in total directly and indirectly. By 2030 total revenue is to double compared with 2020.

For this year Vietnam targets welcoming 7 to 7.5 million international tourists and 36 to 37 million domestic tourists, with total revenue to reach $10 to $11 billion, contributing 5.5 to 6 per cent in GDP. 

Total stays are to be 390,000 rooms, with 30 to 35 per cent being three to five stars, employing 620,000 people directly and a total of 2.2 million directly and indirectly.

In the first nine months of this year Vietnam welcomed nearly 5.7 million of international passengers and 48.8 million domestic travelers, with revenue at VND269.4 billion ($12.1 million).

These are positive numbers and why Minister Tuan Anh believes the tourism sector can become a key economic sector by 2020.

Challenges to overcome

Despite the positives, the verifying agency of the government for the tourism sector said the figures do not reflect the difficulties and challenges the tourism sector must address in the future.

Issues include outdated infrastructure, which creates problems for travelers reaching tourist destinations, especially mountainous areas, while tourism products are not unique. 

Vietnam also lacks professional human resources, and budget funds are limited for tourism promotion and for scientific research and the application of science and technology compared with other countries in the region.

VN Economic Times