Vietnam to push marine tourism

KHANH HOA: Khanh Hoa People’s Committee says it will brand the Vietnamese province as a marine destination focusing on sea and island tourism to boost the economy.

The committee ‘s permanent vice-chairman, Tran Son Hai, said creating a master plan to guide expansion in a sustainable manner was now a priority.

“We need to focus on our assets, which are sea and island tourist products,” he said.

Vietnam’s tourism officials are keen to expand tourism beyond the main cities with marine-based tourism identified as the priority to cash in on the country’s beaches, its vast coastline with off-shore islands and natural attractions.

From now to 2020, tourist products will be developed that highlight the Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa region with links to heritage sites. The emphasis will be on attracting visitors who want to explore heritage and then enjoy a sea or island break.

The province will upgrade local cuisine and promote night markets, entertainment spots and add new tourist products.

Other schemes will call for more investment in the northern Cam Ranh Peninsula Tourist Area to improve human resources in tourism and step up marketing.

International tourists to the south central province of Khanh Hoa reached 1.115 million, a 21% increase over 2015 and for the first time surpassing the 1 million mark.

Chinese top the list of foreign tourists in Khanh Hoa followed by Russians.

Khanh Hoa is well known for its beaches, particularly along Nha Trang Bay, often voted among the most beautiful bays in the world.

The province, on Vietnam’s south central coast, enjoys the second largest economy of the central region after Danang.

Source: http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2017/02/vietnam-to-push-marine-tourism/