Lao Cai to reach the target of receiving over 1 million tourist arrivals in 2013

According to the Lao Cai’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in the first nine months of 2013, the province welcomed 956,290 tourist arrivals, up 13.9 percent compared to last year’s same period; of which 386,200 (up 19.6 percent) and 570,090 (up 6.14 percent) were international tourist arrivals and domestic tourist trippers, respectively. Total tourism receipts reached over VND 1,927 billion, including VND 815.8 billion from international tourists and VND 1,111 billion from domestic tourists.
The province’s key destinations have received increasing visitors, such as Sa Pa attracting 487,034 tourist arrivals, achieving 67.7 percent of target for 2013, increasing by 0.53 percent over the same period of 2012; and Bac Ha receiving 102,500 tourist arrivals.
Thanks to attractive tourism products tied to the ethnic minorities’ unique cultural heritage and solutions to improve the quality, Lao Cai province is likely to reach the target of receiving more than 1 million tourist arrivals in 2013 soon.
According to the Lao Cai Province’s tourism development Plan for the period 2011 – 2015, the province will strive for the target of receiving about 1.5 million tourist arrivals, achieving tourism receipts of VND 3,400 billion and 8,500 employees in tourism sector by 2015.
Lao Cai Province has defined 3 key destinations including Sa Pa and Bac Ha Districts, Lao Cai City and 3 key tourist areas including Lao Cai – Sa Pa – Bat Xat; Bac Ha – Muong Khuong – Si Ma Cai and Bao Thang – Bao Yen – Van Ban.