According to the message sending to countries around the world of Secretary-General of UNWTO, Mr. Talef Rifai wrote “More than one billion tourists travel to international destinations every year. These tourists have made tourism a leading economic sector, contributing 10% of global GDP and 6% of the world’s total exports. Yet these big numbers represent more than just economic strength – they reflect tourism’s vast potential and increasing capacity to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including socio-economic growth, inclusive development and environmental preservation.”

In Viet Nam, tourism sector has achieved many successes and confirmed its role as an important economic sector of the country. The number of international tourists to Viet Nam increased from over 5 million in 2010 to approximately 8 million in 2014 with total tourism receipts of VND 230,000 billion. The number of domestic trippers also increased sharply from 28 million to 38 million within 4 years.

More important, tourism has had significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the country. In 2014, tourism revenues accounted for 6 percent of the nation’s GDP, up from 3.26 percent in 2000. Tourism also helps create new jobs contributing to poverty reduction with 1.97 million tourism and tourism-related employees accounting for 3.8 % of total workforce in Viet Nam.

In response to the World Tourism Day this year, VNAT has asked Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism of all provinces and cities to disseminate the message of the Secretary-General of UNWTO, contributing to raising awareness of authorities at all levels and communities about the role and position of tourism and measures to develop tourism towards sustainability and environmental protection.

Pham Thanh