The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre has put forth a number of measures to welcome 1 million tourists in 2014, in a bid to fulfill its tourism development goals by 2015.
Tran Duy Phuong, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, revealed the plan at a February 12 meeting with representatives from travel companies.
To reach the figure, the province has poured 315 billion VND (14.8 million USD) into its key tourism development programmes that include expanding weekend tours, attracting tourists from Ho Chi Minh City and granting quality certifications to souvenir gift shops .
Efforts will be exerted to step up waste treatment in tourist areas and raise local people’s hospitability, with a view to further improving the quality of tourism products and meeting tourists’ needs.
Ben Tre together with the regional provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Tra Vinh has signed an agreement on establishing coastal tours along the localities.
Last year, Ben Tre received more than 800,000 tourists, earning 429 billion VND (20.16 million USD) , a year-on-year surge of 25 percent.