Thua Thien-Hue unveils measures to revamp tourism

The Thua Thien-Hue provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has outlined a raft of tax cuts and other stimulus measures as part of efforts to shore up tourism, which include ramping up its marketing and advertising programmes.
The agency aims to boost tourism promotion activities at a number of fairs in Vietnam and overseas in an attempt to enhance the province’s image as a safe, economical and hospitable tourist destination.
From August 2014 to late 2015, Thua Thien - Hue is also planning to carry out a sustainable tourism project, with US$230,000 of support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNESCO.
The project has several components including developing Thanh Toan village as an eco-tourism destination, popularising the Ho Chi Minh Highway connecting A Luoi with west mountainous Quang Nam province, and promoting the province’s allure as a dynamic business centre and tourist paradise.
The province has also signed an agreement with Bac Lieu province to conduct a joint survey to utilise as a basis for formulating improved tours more responsive to tourist demands.
In late August, it coordinated with Famtrip to survey a number of tourism venues in Can Tho, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau in the Southwestern region. For the rest of the year, it is planning to invite other Famtrip delegations from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand to survey the locality as well.
The province is also organizing a significant number of tourism promotion conferences in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and central region.
Thua Thien-Hue targets 2.8 to 3 million arrivals in 2014, including 1.2-1.3 international visitors, to increase tourism revenue by 16%-18%, contributing 54%-55% to the province’s GDP..