VietNamNet Bridge – Representatives of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) sat down together on Wednesday to devise promotional programs as a measure to curb a further decline in international visitors to the country.

Foreign guests are seen at the reception area of Liberty Central Citypoint Hotel in downtown HCM City

The meeting was convened after international arrivals fell for the tenth month in March. Participants also discussed simplifying visa procedures to woo foreigners to the country.

Vu The Binh, vice chairman of VITA, said the current top priorities of the local tourism sector are to stop the fall in foreign visitors by launching promotional products and asking relevant agencies to streamline visa procedures.

Binh said VNAT and VITA have worked out some specific promotional programs for submission to the Government for consideration.

Binh noted that to implement the promotional programs, there should be a competent agency to work with ministries and departments over policies to support tour operators.

However, promotions should not last for a long time and tourism authorities need appropriate actions to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic tourism sector.

Discounted tours are just situational solutions and competitiveness improvement should be the long-term goal, Binh said.

According to VNAT, the country welcomed over two million international visitors in the first quarter of this year, down 13.7% year-on-year.

On the contrary, international visitors to other regional countries jumped in the period, according to a source from VNAT. For instance, Thailand saw an increase of over 20% in international arrivals in January-March.

The competitiveness of the local tourism sector has weakened and this is a major concern.