Tourism industry in need of facelift
(VOV) - International and local experts on June 10 put forth solutions at a seminar in Hanoi to map out a strategy to transform Vietnam into an ecotourism paradise and top international tourist destination.
The Institute for Tourism Development Research hosted the seminar funded by the EU in hopes of garnering innovative ideas to overcome shortcomings in the planning for the industry that Vietnam has experienced to date.
Pham Trung Luong, deputy director of the institute, said problems such as the lack of smooth co-ordination among relevant ministries and localities can be overcome with well thought out plans.
Dr Vu Tuan Canh, a tourism expert from the EU in turn said planning is critically essential if Vietnam is to elevate its image to that of a modern industrialized society in the eyes of the international community.
There must be an effective national tourism plan in place if regional and local tourism is to flourish said Canh. Within the context of the national plan these lower tiers must work cohesively to enhance their image.
The quality of the national tourism development and cleaning up the nation’s badly polluted environment are the two most significant factors for successful tourism development.
Most importantly, understanding the target customers’ desires and providing the appropriate types of services and products to meet the demand is crucial to tourism, international expert Dr Martion Fontanary stressed.