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Jan 20, 2017 / 07:21

Resolution on turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector issued

The Politburo`s resolution aims to develop tourism into one of the country’s key economic sectors, attracting 17 to 20 million visitors by 2020.

On behalf of the Politburo, on January 16, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong signed the Resolution No 8 on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector by 2020.
According to the resolution, the tourism sector targets to contribute 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from the current 6.8 percent by 2020.
The resolution of the Politburo points out that the tourism industry set records in 2016, with international arrivals up by two million from 2015.
Total revenues have surged by 62 trillion VND (2.76 billion USD). Both tourist numbers and revenues reached the targets set for 2020 four years earlier than expected.

 
Photo for illustration.
Photo for illustration.
The development of tourism sector has also contributed signficantly to the conservation of the country’s culture heritage and natural resources, while improving the living standards of many Vietnamese.
However, the sector's development has not taken full of advantages from culture heritage and natural resources, according to the resolution.
The sector’s products have not been sufficiently attractive and distinctive, the quality of tourism services has been limited while the state management has not been effective.
Human resources are another weakness, with most of tourism companies being small and medium size, with limited experience. Intersector coordination was still ineffective, the resolution also said.
So, the Politburo aims to develop tourism into one of the country’s key economic sectors, attracting 17 to 20 million visitors by 2020. Tourism revenues are forecast to reach 35 billion USD, and creaating four million new jobs.
In order to realise these goals, the resolution sets out several main tasks.
The resolution asks the sector to prioritise the development of the tourism infrastructure and develop highly attractive and distinctive products.
Certain provinces and cities with potential and strengths in tourism sector need to build their own projects, the resolution said.
The resolution also calls on relevant agencies to continue to improve the legal systems and policies to create favourable conditions for the development of the tourism sector.
State agencies will have to adopt policies for investment in tourism, such as allocating budgets for human resources training and promotion activities, according to the resolution.
The resolution also requires other measures, including the investment in tourism infrastructure, building and promotion of activities; creating a favourable environment for tourism firms and developing tourism human resources.