Vietnam plans for threefold raise in funds to boost tourism

Vietnam plans to raise its promotional funds threefold, after identifying poor marketing efforts as key to slow growth in the tourism industry. It plans to allocate VND120 billion (US$5.4 million) for promotional efforts, Thanhnien news reports.

Currently, the country’s international arrivals are 27% of Thailand’s, 31% of Malaysia’s, and 52% of Singapore’s, it continued.

The proposal - currently under review - also includes other measures to boost the industry, such as extending visa stays and streamlining application processes, according to the Saigon Times Online.

The country aims for 15 million tourists by 2020, and to create 3.5 million jobs in the industry, said Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The government hopes that the sector can contribute to 10% of GDP, with a revenue of US$30 billion each year. A lack of tourism packages and quality services are also reasons why the country has slow tourism growth, the minister added.