Vietnam has the potential to develop various tourism products but
should identify its special advantages to build its own unique tourism
products, a Malaysian tourism official has said.
Mohd Akbal Setia, Director of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board in
Vietnam, commented on Vietnam s rich culture, UNESCO-recognised
cultural and natural heritage, beautiful beaches and bays, good cuisine
and hospitality.
Sharing his home country’s
experiences in this field, Mohd Akbal Setia said Malaysia has made
the best use of its strengths, including its diverse culture.
A fusion of cuisines, luxurious cities, tropical forests, mountains
and beaches has helped Malaysia develop an array of competitive
tourism products.
Malaysia also pays attention to
creating new tourism products to satisfy the demands of holiday makers
across the world.
The official stressed that
Malaysia wishes to cooperate with Vietnam in this area, creating
the best conditions for the two countries’ people to travel.
Established in November, 2011, the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board
in Vietnam has actively responded to Vietnam’s tourism activities.
The board organised six stands at the first Vietnam International Travel Mart held in Hanoi from April 18-21.
Vietnam’s 2020 tourism development strategy has also identified Malaysia as one of the country’s key markets.
The Vietnam Administration of Tourism has organised a host of
activities to promote Vietnam’s tourism, such as Vietnamese Night
within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum in 2005.
Vietnam attended a tourism fair launched by the Malaysian
Association of Tour and Travel Agents in 2007, and in 2011 the country
joined 60 Malaysian businesses and press agencies in a tourism promotion
campaign.
Since the two countries established a
30-day tourist visa exemption scheme, the number of Malaysian arrivals
to Vietnam has increased from 105,000 in 2006 to 233,000 in 2011.-VNA