Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers the opening speech. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

This is the second symposium on tourism development held in 2023, in the context of the whole country striving to achieve the highest possible results in 2023, creating momentum for better results in 2024 and marking the beginning of the year-end tourism season.

Attending the conference were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha; Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies and government agencies; leaders of ministries, branches, and central agencies; Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities; leaders of major business associations in the tourism and aviation sectors; and economic and tourism experts.

Opening the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that tourism is identified as a key economic sector, making an important contribution to job creation, poverty reduction, attracting investment, promoting growth and economic restructuring, preserving and promoting the traditional, historical, and cultural values ​​of the nation, and improving the material and spiritual lives of the people.

Tourism serves as a practical and effective bridge for international exchange, allowing tourists from all over the world to visit, experience, share, understand, and appreciate Vietnam's country, culture, and people even more.

According to the Prime Minister, in recent times, the global situation has been rapidly evolving, presenting unusual and far more complex challenges than anticipated. Domestically, the economy is still modest in scale, lacking significant internal strength, resilience, and adaptability. Furthermore, its high degree of openness means it is heavily impacted by global developments. Vietnam's tourism industry faces numerous difficulties, particularly in attracting international tourists.

Under the leadership of the Party, the management and administration of the State, the involvement of the entire political system, and the support and cooperation of the business community and the people, the socio-economic situation has achieved fairly comprehensive results. Macroeconomics are stable, growth is promoted, inflation is controlled, major balances are ensured; difficulties in the real estate market and corporate bonds are being gradually overcome…

Against this backdrop, Vietnam's tourism industry is on the path to recovery and development. By the end of October 2023, the total number of international tourists reached approximately 10 million, while domestic tourists reached 99 million. However, tourism still faces many difficulties and challenges. The number of international tourists in the first 10 months of 2023 was only 69% compared to the same period in 2019. Furthermore, the tourism industry faces many challenges, especially in meeting the increasingly high demands of the domestic market and the competition from countries in the region and internationally.

The online conference on "Rapid and Sustainable Tourism Development" connects localities. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

To develop tourism into a key economic sector, achieving the goal of welcoming at least 35 million international and 120 million domestic tourists by 2025, and 50 million international and 160 million domestic tourists by 2030, Vietnam's tourism industry needs to truly innovate its thinking and approach with creative, breakthrough, synchronized, and effective measures; implementing "close linkages, harmonious coordination, and comprehensive cooperation".

The Prime Minister requested the Conference to exchange and discuss solutions to short-term and long-term problems, as well as some key issues to ensure the rapid and sustainable development of the tourism industry.

During the conference, delegates identified opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese tourism; and shared successful experiences from countries around the world. Associations, businesses, researchers, experts, and various ministries, sectors, and localities exchanged ideas and proposed breakthrough, specific, and feasible solutions to overcome difficulties, seize opportunities, and create favorable conditions for the rapid and sustainable development of Vietnamese tourism.

The Prime Minister requested the Conference to focus on clarifying the following contents and requirements: mechanisms and policies for tourism development; mobilizing resources and training human resources for tourism; how to organize and manage tourism development from the national level to units and enterprises; coordination among different levels, ministries, sectors, units, and enterprises in tourism development...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presided over the conference. Photo: Duong Giang/TTXVN

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, amidst a mix of difficulties, challenges, and favorable opportunities, with the close guidance of the Government and the Prime Minister, the coordination of ministries and sectors, and the efforts of the entire industry, tourism activities have gradually recovered.

The development of regulations and state management of tourism has been emphasized; tourism promotion and marketing have been intensified; and digital transformation in tourism has been promoted… Tourism activities and events are vibrant in localities. Issues that facilitate international tourists, identified many years ago such as immigration management, e-visas, and the validity period of unilateral visa exemptions, have seen significant improvements. Tourism products have been renewed, increasing their attractiveness and competitiveness. Many new destinations have received investment, and the technical infrastructure and facilities serving tourism have been improved…

However, the recovery rate of international tourists remains low compared to 2019 and the industry's supply capacity. Vietnam's tourism promotion and marketing activities have not met the required level, frequency, and coverage. Visa policies lack flexibility and competitiveness. Tourism products do not yet match the potential and strengths of the region. The tourism workforce is insufficient and of low quality…

At the conference, delegates discussed difficulties and obstacles, proposed solutions, and offered suggestions to attract tourists and develop Vietnam's tourism industry rapidly and sustainably; strengthening regional and sectoral linkages, and public-private partnerships to build tourism products and promote tourism. Delegates exchanged views on the role of localities and stakeholders in destination management and tourism promotion; overcoming seasonality and boosting the attraction of international tourists through air, land, and sea border crossings; the role of Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad in attracting international tourists; and solutions to increase tourist spending through shopping.
According to VNA