Vietnam's tourism industry aims to reach total revenue of over VND700 trillion (US$30.1 billion) in 2019, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai at the conference on January 21 on tasks and orientations for 2019.

In addition, the country targets to welcome 103 million visitors in 2019, of the total, 18 million will be foreigners and 85 million nationals. 

Vietnam tourism aims to reach total revenue of over US$30.1 billion in 2019. Photo: Hanoimoi.com.vn

According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Khanh Hai, the number of foreign holidaymakers to Vietnam in 2018 was estimated at nearly 15.5 million, a 19.9% increase from the previous year. In addition, Vietnam received more than 80 million domestic visitors.

The revenue from travel services in 2018 was estimated at VND620 trillion (US$26.66 billion), a 21.4% increase from 2017.

Vietnam has been ranked 3rd among the world’s 10 fastest growing travel destinations, according to a list released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Commenting on the goal of the tourism industry in 2019, General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said that the Vietnamese tourism sector will continue to reach out to more destinations, supervise travel services and promote Vietnam's tourism in local and international markets.

Earlier, Vietnam has won 15 ASEAN tourism awards at a ceremony held as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which wrapped up in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province on January 18. The awards cover the fields of community-based tourism, homestay, spa, and public toilet services.

Themed “ASEAN: The Power of One”, the ATF featured more than 20 activities and events, attracting the participation of over 2,000 delegates from tourism ministries and agencies of ASEAN, the World Tourism Organization, and other international tourism organizations and associations.

This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the ATF, following the first in 2009 with the theme of “ASEAN Tourism: Striving for a New Height”.

Hanoitimes