Foreign tourist arrivals by sea surge in October

Foreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam by sea reached 127,481 in the first ten months of this year, a decrease of 32.4 percent year on year. However, the number saw an 8 percent increase in October against the previous month.

In October, Vietnam greeted nearly 6,000 foreign tourists by sea. However, in the first ten months of this year, the number of foreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam by sea was only 67.6 percent of the same period last year. Vietnam’s tourism market is now facing structural weaknesses which are hampering growth, such as lacking cruise ship terminals, a lack of tourism products and non-professional promotion and campaigns for Vietnam’s maritime tourism in the international market. However, several travel agents believe that Vietnam’s sea tourism has the potential to attract a large number of tourists during New Year 2009 and Tet 2009 (the Lunar New Year). At present, oil and food prices are declining, offering opportunities for travel companies to reduce their tour prices. Favorable natural conditions, attractive landscapes, and political stability all contribute to attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam.
(Source: CPV)