The number of international and domestic tourists to the northern central province of Thanh Hoa, which hosted the National Tourism Year 2015, exceeded 5.53 million this year, generating 5.2 trillion VND (233.18 million USD), up 45 percent from the previous year.
The figures were released at a meeting jointly held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the provincial People’s Committee on December 26 in Thanh Hoa city reviewing the organisation of the National Tourism Year 2015.
Addressing the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh hailed the achievements Thanh Hoa has made in hosting the national tourism event.
The locality have actively devised numerous incentives to lure investment in tourism sector, with focus on developing infrastructure facilities in such seaside tourism areas as Sam Son and Hai Tien, the minister said.
Thanh Hoa has also worked closely with 15 other provinces and cities across the nation in organising culture, sports, tourism and trading activities throughout the year, following the main theme of the national event “Connecting World Heritages”, he added.
The Minister expressed his hope that the province will build on the positive achievements in the year to further promote the sector toward becoming one of the key national tourism sites by 2020.
On the occasion, fifteen units and 20 individuals were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the national event. Dozens of others were honoured by the provincial People’s Committee.
The same day, a grand ceremony was held in Thanh Hoa City marking the conclusion of the National Tourism Year 2015.