The total number of international tourists in 2023 is estimated at 12.5 million, meeting the target of 12.5-13 million international arrivals, it was reported at a workshop on management of the tourism sector in the new situation held by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) in Hanoi on December 21.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of the VNAT Pham Van Thuy said that after two years of being affected by COVID-19, Vietnam's tourism has recovered and seen an upward trend. The initial target of international arrivals set for the year was 8 million but later revised up to 12.5 - 13 million.

Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists is forecasted to reach 108 million, exceeding the yearly target by 5.8%. The total revenue from tourism is estimated at 672 trillion VND (28 billion USD), exceeding the plan by 3.38%.

Delegates at a workshop on management of the tourism sector in the new situation held by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Hanoi, Dec 21. (Photo: VNA)

Also during the year, the VNAT was awarded the title "Asia's Leading Tourism Authority 2023" for the fourth time. Vietnam was honored in 45 categories of the 2023 World Travel Awards, one of the leading tourism awards in Asia, including the Asia’s Leading Destination award for the fifth time and Asia’s Leading Nature Destination award for the second time in a row.

The agency admitted outstanding shortcomings and problems in State management of tourism, and proposed solutions in the coming time, including tightening management of tourism sites and destinations, conservation of natural and cultural values at tourism destinations for sustainable tourism development, improvement of security, safety, food hygiene, and environmental protection, among others.

The VNAT also emphasized connectivity under the guidance of the VNAT and the leadership of major tourism centers such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City... to form "one route, many destinations" products.

It has asked relevant parties to strengthen public-private cooperation under market mechanisms for mutual benefits and introduce mechanisms and policies to effectively mobilize the resources of enterprises, especially large enterprises investing in the non-smoke industry.

By the end of 2024, international tourism in Vietnam can recover and reach 80 percent of the pre-pandemic level in an optimistic scenario.

The event, themed “Lessons Learned from Target and Recovery”, was jointly by The Outbox Company - a market intelligence company based in Vietnam, specializing in travel, hospitality, destination, and tourism, and the Saigontourist Group.

Nguyen Anh Thu, Chief Research Officer of The Outbox Company, said that world tourism reached 80 percent of the pre-COVID-19 level in the first quarter of 2023 thanks to positive results in Europe and the Middle East.

In Vietnam, the tourism industry has tapped the domestic market as "leverage" to stimulate demand, as the international tourist markets have recovered quite slowly.

Thu suggested the sector have changes in tourism recovery and development strategies in the coming time.

Nguyen Dong Hoa, Saigontourist Deputy General Director, said that in 2023, most countries and territories have opened their doors for tourism, and market information is updated continuously, contributing to creating a foundation for businesses to build business strategies for the 2023-2024 period.

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