HCMC taps river tourism potential

31 May 2012  2185 | Business & Trade Fairs

HO CHI MINH CITY, 31 May 2012: Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism authorities hope to persuade private investors to develop river tourism, including construction of tourist wharfs.

Earlier this week, Saigon Times quoted HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism deputy director, La Quoc Khanh saying it was a waste to pour money into tourism promotions overseas.

He argued that the city would benefit more from an investment in new tours and attractions instead of launching more tourism promotional campaigns.

City officials joined a fact-finding survey of river tours and urged related agencies to clear the way for private investors to build river tourism facilities and open riverside wharfs as attractions.

“HCMC authorities have suggested related agencies to make conditions favorable for private investors to build tourist wharfs,” said Mr Khanh.

Developing river tourism is one of the key plans of HCMC’s hospitality industry. Last year, the city launched several river tours to Can Gio.

Last month, the city’s vice chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Hong, took a river trip from Bach Dang Wharf to Can Gio to see for herself whether the tours were practical and a business proposition for the private sector.

This year, the city government will spend VND11 billion (around US$527,700) for tourism promotion activities, a budget that has not changed from 2011.

“With higher expectations and the same budget for tourism promotion, we’ve decided to cut PR promotions in foreign markets,” Mr Khanh said.

Vietnam like other ASEAN countries faces the difficult task of measuring the effectiveness of public relations programmes overseas.

The tourism industry makes up around 11% of the city’s GDP. In 2011, it generated VND57 trillion, or around US$2.75 billion revenue.

Sourced: ttrweekly

Recommended Cambodia Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Promotion Tours

Promotion Tours

Adventure Tours

Adventure Tours

Cycling Tours

Cycling Tours