PM devises measures for tourism to contribute 10% to GDP

The government leader underlined the need to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector, contributing 10% to the GDP.

"Vietnam’s tourism should learn from regional countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. State management will create conditions for tourist companies to grow, promote brand names, and ensure good service quality.

Community participation is an important element in tourist development. We need to develop tourist trademarks.

Danang city is a good example of building a tourist trademark. State agencies have to fulfill their constructive and managerial function to help businesses build their trademarks," he said.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism said Vietnam served 7.9 million foreign tourists and 57 million domestic tourists in 2015.

The tourism sector contributed 6.6% of the GDP and created 2.25 million jobs.

Participants at the event also proposed increasing the number of countries enjoying exemption of visa to Vietnam.

The country has exempted visa for tourists from 22 countries and territories, the number that is modest as regional countries have offered that favourable treatment to 60 to 160 countries and territories.

It is essential to enhance closer connections among sectors in spurring tourism development, they noted.