VietNamNet Bridge - Tourism sector needs to focus on the local market, considering it as the sector’s key to future development, said Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh at a meeting to review the “Impressive Vietnam” tourism stimulus campaign.
The campaign hascontributed to preventing the decline in numbers of foreign visitors to Vietnam and warming up the domestic market, said Mr Anh.
Inspired by the campaign, the tourism sector should intensify domestic promotions to attract more local tourists, Mr Tuan Anh stressed.
Last year, the sector served 25 million local travellers, a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The campaign heated up domestic tours, especially from March to October, despite the difficulties caused by the adverse impact of the global financial crisis.
“Impressive Vietnam” helped travel agencies, hotels and service suppliers join hands to offer tours at competitive prices and enjoy shared profits.
This year, many events of great significance to the country will take place, especially a grand ceremony to mark the Thang Long-Hanoi millennial anniversary, providing a chance for the tourism sector to attract even more foreign visitors and promote local tourism development.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said it will continue to offer trade promotion programmes at opportune junctures, to cope with difficulties and challenges that influence the tourism sector’s development and sustainability.
VietNamNet/VOV | 
