Tourism hubs ink pact

Three tourism hubs from the central and southern regions signed a deal to work together on developing their industries during 2009-2012.
The pact was signed at a meeting in Dalat between Ho Chi Minh City, Central Highlands Lam Dong Province and south central Binh Thuan Province, the Saigon Times Daily newspaper reported
That meeting was held to review the tourism cooperation program between the three localities which began two years ago.
The program has achieved a number of successes since it was launched in 2007, according to the officials.
It paved the way in promoting the regions’ tourism products and attracted investors from HCMC to upgrade facilities and create new products in Lam Dong and Binh Thuan.
About 40 percent of investment projects in Lam Dong are run by HCMC-based businesses, worth a combined total of VND28 trillion (US$1.57 billion).
The program also brought in more tourists from the southern hub. HCMC dwellers account for 40 percent of domestic tourists to Lam Dong and 50 percent of those to Binh Thuan.
Advertising, marketing strategies, new tourism products and promoting local culture and sports were also tabled at the meeting.