City targets 11% rise in foreign tourists

HCM CITY — The HCM City Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has set a target of attracting 3.5 million international visitors next year, an 11 per cent increase over this year.

The department also set a target of VND49 trillion (US$2.45 billion) in tourism revenues next year, a 20 per cent rise year on year, said its deputy director, La Quoc Khanh.

To achieve the targets, Khanh said the city should continue to launch campaigns to raise the quality of tourism services and exploit new tours and services.

It would also train human resources for service industries, promote its image, and set up links with international tourism-related agencies like the Tourism Promotion Organisation for Asian-Pacific Cities, he said.

This year 3.1 million international tourists are expected to visit the city, 11 per cent higher than the target and 20 per cent up from last year, he said.

Tourism revenues are expected to top VND41 trillion ($2.1 billion), slightly above the target and 17 per cent up from last year, he added. — VNS