A seminar aimed at seeking ways to realise the tourism potential of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage, was held in northeastern Quang Ninh province as part of the Ha Long Tourism Week 2012 for European visitors.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Doc affirmed that tourism is defined as one of the important pillars in the province's socio-economic development strategy by 2020 with a vision to 2030.
Quang Ninh has selected the BCG Group of the US, one of the world leading consultants, to make a tourism development plan for the province, he said.
Participants at the event agreed that Ha Long Bay will be the centre of the province's tourism sector.
Oliver Grosser, General Director of Germany-based Travell 20 Jahre Company, said this is the third time he has visited Ha Long Bay and he is pleased with tourism services here.
He urged Quang Ninh province to further improve the quality of tourism services in Ha Long Bay and develop more products to better serve international tourists.
The province should pay attention to the safety of tourists while touring Ha Long Bay, said journalist Hans Odoo from Sweden.
To make the most of its precious natural assets, the province has poured investment in building more entertainment facilities in Ha Long Bay as well as diversifying tourism products while sparing no efforts to improve the quality of tourism services and infrastructure.
Management of the transport of visitors and cruise liners has been tightened to ensure the safety for tourists.
The number of visitors to Quang Ninh has increased year after year with more than 7 million, including 2.4 million foreigners, expected for 2012. The province's tourism revenues have been growing by 60 percent each year.