Measures to lure more high-spending international tourists under discussion

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam needs to have support policies for developing new tourism products and services capable of attracting high-spending international visitors, said insiders.

Addressing a national conference on tourism development in 2023 recently, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung admitted that Vietnam's tourism products have yet to catch up with global trends and failed to fully utilise the natural advantages, especially cultural resources.

“We only offer what we have, not what visitors want, so our products lack attractiveness for tourists,” he said.

He added that tourism linkage among regions, localities, and sectors remain weak, resulting in tourism products not diverse and attractive to tourists.

According to Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh, it is necessary to develop attractive and high-spending products like golf tourism.

The number of international visitors travelling to Vietnam for golf tours is on the rise, he said, calling for exemption or reduction of excise tax for international golf tourists in order to increase the competitiveness of this tourism service.

Meanwhile, Deputy General Director of Saigontourist Vo Anh Tai said attention should be paid to cruise ship tourism, noting that his firm welcomed eight international cruise ships with over 23,000 visitors in March only.

The company aims to serve 170,000 international holiday-makers arriving on 30 cruise ships in 2023, he said.

Tai also proposed policies to attract foreign tourists attending diplomatic events; trade, and investment promotion programmes; fairs and exhibitions; and international sports and culture events.

President of the Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG) Johnathan Hanh Nguyen suggested developing a number of potential tourism models such as health-care tourism and duty-free outlets, saying that these generate high revenues and help increase competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism in the region.

He also proposed cooperation with international partners to develop entertainment, resort, and casino complexes; and amusement parks whose brand is recognised worldwide.

Speaking at a seminar held by Sai Gon Giai phong newspaper, Dang Manh Phuoc, CEO of The Outbox Company – a market researcher and data analyst on tourism and hotel, stressed the importance of research in consumer behaviour and demand in target markets, so as to build appropriate promotion strategies.

Tai also urged Vietnam’s representative agencies abroad to play a greater role in promoting the national tourism brand to international visitors./.