With a view to accelerating the implementation of policies toward establishing a new image of Taiwan tourism including “Taiwan – The Heart of Asia” and Project Vanguard For Excellence In Tourism as well as continuing to exploit emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Taiwan Tourism Association under the assignment of Taiwan Tourism Bureau conducted a survey of Vietnam tourism market in Hanoi between May 8th and 11th.
According to the statistics of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, in 2011, there were 9,583,873 Taiwanese taking tours abroad, 318,587 of whom visited Vietnam (3.3 percent of total number of tourists travelling out of Taiwanese border). Meanwhile, there were only 29,774 Vietnamese applying for visas to Taiwan. The difference was as much as ten times. It can be said that tourism potential between Taiwan (China) and Vietnam is huge. Collaboration for exploitation is, therefore, of great necessity.
So as to boost tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Taiwan, in addition to enthusiastic negotiations to sign the “Memorandum of Understanding for Tourism Cooperation” between Taipei-stationed Vietnamese Economic and Cultural Office and Vietnam-based Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in 2008, the latter has since then shown effective cooperation and Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has been to Taiwan twice to launch roadshows (in 2009 and at the end of 2010). The results gained were very encouraging: in 2010, there were 334,000 Taiwanese arrivals in Vietnam (up by 23.7 percent against that of 2009). In 2011, the figure continued to go up by 8.1 percent.
The seminar on the very first tourism promotion programme organized by Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Vietnam not only helps to promote Taiwanese tourism but also facilitates and accelerates opportunities for tourism cooperation between the two nations.
Mr Carey Chiu from Amazing Travel of Taiwan says that this is the second time he has been to Vietnam to seek for opportunities to expand tourism market. His company regularly sends tourists to Vietnam. Taiwanese tourists are fond of staying at relaxation areas and visiting Ha Long bay. Vietnam is currently amongst potential markets and is highly complemented by Taiwanese tourists. However, Vietnamese tourism practitioners need to be aware of the fact that environmental, climate and transport issues need to be improved.
The Taiwan tourism promotion delegation led by Deputy Director General Wayne Liu which consists of 38 representatives aims at surveying the tourism market, visiting and working with leaders of VNAT and VITA (Vietnam Tourism Association) for further collaboration in such fields as tourism promotion assistance, organization of themed tourism programmes and training of tourism HR, particularly managers working in the sector.
Luu Hiep
Vietnamese
