Binh Thuan develops tourism into spearhead economic sector

A corner of coastal Phan Thiet city in Binh Thuan province

The comprehensive development of transport infrastructure and improvement in tourism products are among the keys to turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector in the south-central coastal province of Binh Thuan, experts said.

Binh Thuan is also striving to become a national sea tourism-sports hub in the country by 2020. The locality has also set the annual target of welcoming some 7 million arrivals by the end of the decade, including around 850,000 foreign visitors.

Attending a seminar held by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Binh Thuan province chapter and the Binh Thuan Tourism Association on December 21, Tran Du Lich – member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Group – laid stress on the local potential for tourism development.

He suggested the province work to lure investments in global standardised resorts, enhancing tourism promotion, and strengthening regional tourism connection.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Viet Nam Tourism Association Nguyen Huu Tho said that further effort is needed to ensure safety for travellers, prevent tourism scams or cheating, and develop local staple products.

Using social networks to popularise local culture and tourist attractions is highly recommended, he underlined, adding that the province should encourage businesses to focus on high-quality human resources training.

According to Nguyen Lan Ngoc – Vice Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism – the tourism sector will work to improve the business climate, complete tourism infrastructure, and build Binh Thuan as a safe, friendly destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Binh Thuan has a coastline of 192km, with various beautiful landscapes such as Mui Yen, Cau isle, Ke Ga lighthouse, Ganh Son, Gieng Tien, and the Hon Cau Marine Protected Area where hundreds of rare species live.

In addition, Binh Thuan boasts Phu Quy island which is known as “the pearl in the middle of the sea” and located about 56 nautical miles off the coast of the province. Meanwhile, Mui Ne beach, with its warm and windy climate, has served as a venue for well-known surfers from the UK, France, Russia, Germany, and Australia.

Thanks to efforts to improve the management work and diversify tourism products, the number of tourists heading to the locality has risen year after year. Sea sports, like windsurfing and kite-surfing, and adventure tours have helped lengthen tourists’ stay.

Last year, Binh Thuan served over 5.1 million tourists, earning 10.8 trillion VND (460.7 million USD).

The south central province of Binh Thuan expects to receive 5.7 million visitors for all of 2018, a jump of 12 percent from last year. Total earnings from tourism services are predicted to surge 18.8 percent to 12.8 trillion VND (550.9 million USD).

Roughly 675,000 foreigners chose Binh Thuan for their holidays, with China and the Republic of Korea the top tourist sources, accounting for 28 percent and 13 percent of total international arrivals to the locality, respectively.

Meanwhile, stable growth was seen in tourist arrivals from traditional markets like Russia, the UK, and France.
Source: VNA