Workshop discusses new trends, demands in tourism development

Discussions focused on a number of topics, including requirements for Viet Nam in tourism development in the new period, the 4th industrial revolution and changes in tourism business, e-marketing for Vietnamese tourism, and factors that affect tourism consumption amid global integration.

"Kong: Skull Island" film set in Viet Nam becomes a new tourist site (Photo: VNA)

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR), said 1.2 billion people worldwide travelled for holidays in 2016.

The figure is likely to rise this year despite conflicts and diseases, he added, noting that the Asia-Pacific region would maintain its position as the global top tourist destination.

Statistics from the institute showed that 40% of online searches for tourism information were done using smartphones. Tourists are taking advantage from posts on social network and review websites on different locations. The development of technology requires Viet Nam’s tourism sector to quickly boost digital development. 

Le Tuan Anh, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department under the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, said exploiting digital applications are necessary for the sector to avoid setbacks.

In Viet Nam, travel agencies have quickly caught up with the trend, while State agencies have shown little involvement, thus are yet to update their management models in line with the tendency.