Vietnam expects 15m tourists this year
Vietnam’s tourism industry stands at the threshold of a remarkable milestone, with experts predicting an impressive figure of 14-15 million foreign visitors could be achieved this year, according to the state news agency (VNA).
A recent survey conducted by Vietnam Report JSC has unveiled an optimistic outlook, with 66.7 per cent of businesses in the tourism and hotel industry expressing confidence in more favourable prospects this year. Among them, 92.9 per cent anticipate robust growth in revenue, while 85.7 per cent foresee an uptick in both profit and visitor numbers, said a Wam news agency report quoting VNA.
VNA cited the impact of the new visa policy which was effective from August 15, 2023. This policy allows electronic visas for tourists from all countries and extends visa exemptions for certain visitors to 45 days, up from the previous 15 days. As a result, the number of foreign arrivals exceeded 1 million in the last four months of the previous year, far surpassing the initial plan.
Miyazaki City teams up with Japan Airlines
Japan – Miyazaki City, a hub in southeast Kyushu, Japan, and the capital of Miyazaki Prefecture, has a population of around 400,000, making it the seventh-largest city in the region. Designated a core city in 1998, it is celebrated for its vibrant tourism attractions, such as Phoenix Seagaia, and Aoshima, and hosting professional baseball training camps. Known for its focus on the service industry, the city boasts the Sheraton Grand Ocean Resort, one of Kyushu’s tallest structures, located in the Phoenix Seagaia complex.
Miyazaki City’s beauty beckons tourists, and in collaboration with JAL, the Tourism Association is hosting events to attract visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
Miyazaki City’s collaboration with Japan Airlines strengthens both its physical and cultural foundations, bolstering its international appeal.
TAT joins forces with Trip.com
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Trip.com Group, hosted ‘Super World Tour BOSS LIVE’ under the “Thailand – A Must for Chinese” campaign at Rosewood Bangkok Hotel on January 31, achieving over 100 million baht in a day.
This livestream announced Thailand travel deals, whether airline discounts, accommodation promotions, or travel packages, aiming at shaping Thailand into a leading destination, presenting majestic islands, cultures, and delectable eats.
The livestream was run by Ms. Sun Tianxu, Vice President of Trip.com Group, who considered the platform an effective marketing tool for Chinese tourists. For Trip.com Group, Thailand is a major destination with Bangkok being SEA’s most popular destination for Chinese tourists in 2023. In parallel, Phuket and Chiang Mai also secured ranks among the top ten with bookings increased by 174 per cent in the same year (compared to those of the previous year).
Antwerp celebrates city through seminar
Antwerp Convention Bureau, VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau and Semico co-hosted 65 leading PCOs and their industry partners at IAPCO EDGE Seminar, during which, Antwerp demonstrated its new brand, encapsulated in the phrase: “The City is Your Venue”.
The seminar perfectly illustrated Antwerp’s intimate size and flexible, welcoming mindset that transforms the entire city into a venue. From the welcoming reception in The Radisson Blu’s Diamond Room to educational sessions at the Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre Antwerp (FMCCA) – A Room with a ZOO; and the gala dinner at the Zoo’s Aquarium Building, each part of the event integrated the city’s personality, efficiency and world class event offering.