Vietnam has set a target of attracting 7.2 million international visitors this year – a result that would mark a new record for the country.
In 2012, 6.85 million international visitors travelled to Vietnam, up 14% compared to 2011, and itself a new record. The target of 7.2m visitors would mark a year-on-year increase of just 5.2%, and a similar rate of growth to 2012 would see Vietnam exceed 7.8m annual visitors.
Meanwhile, domestic tourist numbers are expected to increase 7.7% to 35m trips in 2012, while Vietnam is hoping to boost tourism receipts 19% to VND190 trillion (US$9.1bn).
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the country will focus its marketing efforts on eight key markets: China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, France and Russia. China is by far Vietnam’s largest visitor source market, accounting for more than 20% of total arrivals last year. Russia however, is the fastest-growing market, with visitor numbers from the country surging 71% in 2012.
Source: www.traveldailymedia.com