A cruise stops at the Ha Long International Cruise Port, the first specialised passenger port in Vietnam that just opened in late November in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh province (Photo: VNA)Quang Ninh (VNA) – Aninternational seminar to seek ways to develop cruise tourism was held in thenorthern coastal province of Quang Ninh on December 7.
Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Administration ofTourism (VNAT) Ngo Hoai Chung said cruise tourism has been the fastest growingsector of the travel industry for the past few years globally. Often chosen bywealthy people, cruise tourism can make a significant economic impact for thelocality.
Sea and island tourism, which includes cruise tourism, is considered one ofthe priorities in the tourism development strategy of Vietnam, said Chung.
Vietnam has numerous advantages to become an attractive cruise tourismdestination with its location in the centre of Southeast Asia, some 3,200 km ofcoast, more than 3,000 beautiful islands and diverse and unique culture, saidChung.
The growth rate of cruise tourist numbers to Vietnam is relatively low comparedto the total number of tourists. In the first 11 months of 2018, Vietnam welcomed more than 400,000 cruise tourists, accounting for only 2 to 3 percent of total international tourists.
Vietnam still faces challenges including a poor seaport system, substandardcruise terminal facilities, bad infrastructure, unattractive tourism productsand a lack of long-term action plans to attract cruise tourists, according toChung.
He suggested Vietnam should invest more in infrastructure, cruise terminalfacilities as well as shore itineraries and develop unique tourism products totap its cruise tourism potential.
To make Vietnam a viable cruise destination, the country should improve itsitineraries, cruise facilities and shore excursions, said Ahmad Kamal Bin Abdollah,manager of Cruise Port Development of the NV Terminals in Malaysia.
The various destinations within Vietnamhave a solid mix of excursion offerings. The challenge remains in developingnew facilities at these destinations and where such facilities are not optimal,improving the overall experience such that the inconvenience is minor and therewards are great, he said.
In 2017, Vietnam welcomed 407 cruise ships compared to 466 ships in theprevious year. Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang saw the highest number of ships visitingthe country.
This year, Vietnam expects to welcome 500 ships, up 21percent from the previousyear. - VNA
Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Administration ofTourism (VNAT) Ngo Hoai Chung said cruise tourism has been the fastest growingsector of the travel industry for the past few years globally. Often chosen bywealthy people, cruise tourism can make a significant economic impact for thelocality.
Sea and island tourism, which includes cruise tourism, is considered one ofthe priorities in the tourism development strategy of Vietnam, said Chung.
Vietnam has numerous advantages to become an attractive cruise tourismdestination with its location in the centre of Southeast Asia, some 3,200 km ofcoast, more than 3,000 beautiful islands and diverse and unique culture, saidChung.
The growth rate of cruise tourist numbers to Vietnam is relatively low comparedto the total number of tourists. In the first 11 months of 2018, Vietnam welcomed more than 400,000 cruise tourists, accounting for only 2 to 3 percent of total international tourists.
Vietnam still faces challenges including a poor seaport system, substandardcruise terminal facilities, bad infrastructure, unattractive tourism productsand a lack of long-term action plans to attract cruise tourists, according toChung.
He suggested Vietnam should invest more in infrastructure, cruise terminalfacilities as well as shore itineraries and develop unique tourism products totap its cruise tourism potential.
To make Vietnam a viable cruise destination, the country should improve itsitineraries, cruise facilities and shore excursions, said Ahmad Kamal Bin Abdollah,manager of Cruise Port Development of the NV Terminals in Malaysia.
The various destinations within Vietnamhave a solid mix of excursion offerings. The challenge remains in developingnew facilities at these destinations and where such facilities are not optimal,improving the overall experience such that the inconvenience is minor and therewards are great, he said.
In 2017, Vietnam welcomed 407 cruise ships compared to 466 ships in theprevious year. Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang saw the highest number of ships visitingthe country.
This year, Vietnam expects to welcome 500 ships, up 21percent from the previousyear. - VNA
VNA
