Vietnam Travel » Vietnam Travel Updated » February foreign tourist arrivals up 32.4%

February foreign tourist arrivals up 32.4%

The tourism sector recorded an impressive performance last month with over 590, 000 foreign visitors visiting the country, up 32.4% from a year ago, says a General Statistics Office report.

The strong growth is explainable as February is a high season month for the tourism sector. This sent the total number of international visitors to the country in the first two months this year rising 19.5% to 1.06 million.

Ho Chi Minh city, the country’s biggest tourism hub, attracted around 310, 000 foreign visitors last month, up 8% year-on-year, with total revenue estimated to grow 34% from the year-ago period to VND4.3 trillion.

HCMC tour operators and hoteliers have shown optimism about their business given the strong February performance and the positive outlook for the rest of the year.

“Our revenue and profit are better than the same period last year. Bookings for the next season are quite good, ” Bui Viet Thuy Tien, Managing Director of Asian Trails Co., said.

Quang Ninh Province, which is known for its World Heritage-listed Halong Bay, put foreign arrivals last month at 186, 000, which took the total in the first two months to 400, 000, up 10% year-on-year. Many of the visitors to this Northern province were cruise ship passengers who toured Halong Bay.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) expects the country to welcome 5.3 to 5.5 million foreign visitors this year.

To achieve that target, this national tourism authority is preparing to launch the first marketing campaign of the year. VNAT and tourism businesses will join the world-known travel trade show ITB Berlin in Germany slated for March 9-13.

VNAT is also working on a plan to honor foreign travel firms for sending big numbers of international tourists to the country.

Other Vietnam Travel News Visiting Nga Nam floating market in Soc Trang Quang Ninh welcomes large numbers of tourists Travel firms ready to raise tour fees following petroleum price increases Diplomats learn more about Vietnam’s culture Unspoilt Ninh Van Bay is perfect holiday hideaway Quang Ninh looks to improve safety of boats on Ha Long Bay Taste of home in a sausage Northern natural beauty, traditions call out to adventurous travellers Ceremonies set for large turn outs Photo competition to spotlight Vietnam's world heritage sites Vietnam’s treasures on display in RoK The herbalist’s temple on Ta Cu Mountain Vietnam tries to attract MICE tourists through websites Vietnam aims to receive 5.3 million international visitors in 2011 Ha Long Bay seeks New 7 Wonders of World status Vietnam has 470, 000 foreign arrivals in January Private airlines running the risks of having operation licenses revoked Vietnam to hire consultancy firm for tourism marketing? Huong Pagoda Festival opens More tourists arrive in Nha Trang for first days of Lunar New Year