More efforts needed to tap main tourist markets
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said on August 3 that it had sent a document requiring local Departments of Tourism and Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism to carry out measures to attract more visitors from the main tourist markets of the nation.
According to the VNAT, in the first seven months of 2016, Vietnam welcomed over 5.5 million foreign tourist arrivals, up 24 percent from the same period last year. The markets with great growth include China, the Republic of Korea and Western Europe.
However, the sector still saw several shortcomings, including the illegal operation of foreign guides in several central localities.
To increase State management over tourist activities, the VNAT requested the departments to instruct travel agencies to use flexible measures to serve tourists in case there is a lack of tour guides capable of foreign languages.
Travel agencies should employ tour guides from other localities, provide specific information about tourist sites in appropriate languages for visitors, and use Vietnamese tour guides accompanied by interpreters.
Localities should consider the installation of an auto voice-over system in foreign languages to serve tourists, especially those from Vietnam’s main tourist markets.
They were urged to encourage locals and enterprises to improve their behaviour towards visitors, and avoid actions or words that show discrimination against them.
However, the sector still saw several shortcomings, including the illegal operation of foreign guides in several central localities.
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Travel agencies should employ tour guides from other localities, provide specific information about tourist sites in appropriate languages for visitors, and use Vietnamese tour guides accompanied by interpreters.
Localities should consider the installation of an auto voice-over system in foreign languages to serve tourists, especially those from Vietnam’s main tourist markets.
They were urged to encourage locals and enterprises to improve their behaviour towards visitors, and avoid actions or words that show discrimination against them.
