Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation: Potentials and Prospects

WVR/VNA - The Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism co-hosted a conference promoting tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries on December 15, 2022.
Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation
Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation: Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet took a photo with delegates attending the Conference. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

The event was held in hybrid format, attracting over 250 delegates and more than 100 travel agencies and hospitality providers from both sides.

Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation
Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation: Overview of the conference. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

Opening the Conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu affirmed that the Conference is an important tourism promotion event after the COVID-19 pandemic, a concrete implementation of the Direction of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on promoting economic diplomacy for the development of the country.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu hopes that the conference contributes to finding new solutions to make breakthroughs in tourism cooperation between Vietnam and GCC countries, strengthen the friendship and increase mutual understanding between the two sides in the coming time.

Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation
Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation: Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu hopes that the conference contributes to finding new solutions to make breakthroughs in tourism cooperation between Vietnam and GCC countries. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet highlighted yet-to-be-tapped potential to improve the efficiency of bilateral tourism cooperation.

Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation
Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation: Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet highlighted yet-to-be-tapped potential to improve the efficiency of bilateral tourism cooperation. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

Participants at the event suggested improving the frequency and efficiency of Vietnam’s tourism promotion activities in the Gulf region, building tour packages meeting Halal standards, increasing direct flights between both sides, diversifying forms of passenger transport like airway and waterway, preparing for workforce fluent in languages and Islamic culture, and simplifying visa procedures, among others.

Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation
Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation: Participants at the discussion session "Potential to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam - GCC". (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

They also explored the possibility of joint investment in tourism infrastructure and services.

Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation
Vietnam, GCC countries promote tourism cooperation: Speakers in the discussion session "Effectively exploiting the potential of tourism cooperation between Vietnam - GCC: Orientation and solutions". (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said the two Ministries will continue working closely together to hold tourism promotion activities in the region in the coming time.

The number of tourists from GCC countries visiting Vietnam is around 6,000 each year.

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(Source: WVR/VNA)