Ho Chi Minh City registers staggering tourism growth in 9 months
05/10/07 (GMT+7)
Ho Chi Minh tourism growth, Ho Chi Minh City saw tourism revenue in the January-September period rise a staggering 40% year-on-year to nearly VND 15.5 trillion, or nearly US $1 billion, the city’s Department of Tourism says in a just-released report.
The Vietnam travel service revenue, though accounting for a mere 12% in the total, shot up 52% in the period, generating over VND 1.95 trillion, while the restaurant and hotel service with VND 13.5 trillion in revenue also posted a robust 35% growth.
While the increasing number of international arrivals is a positive contribution factor, a hike in room rates was the main driving force behind the growth. The average room rate for three to five-star hotels in Ho Chi MinhC increased by 35% on the year-earlier period, with the rate at five-star hotels surging 38%.
Most travel agencies and accommodation facilities reported better-than-expected business.
Bui Viet Thuy Tien, director of Asian Trails Co., told the Daily that her company recorded good business in the first nine months this year, with the number of international arrivals increasing by over 15%. The said the number would have been bigger if there had been enough rooms for large groups of travellers.
“If we could find enough rooms for tourists and the room tariffs were not high we would have more guests,” she said.
The company is catering to over 2,000 international guests per month.
Other tour operators in the city have also reported strong growth in international arrivals in the period. Saigontourist Travel Service Co. reported nearly 70,000 guests, up 55% year-on-year, while Ben Thanh Tourist had 40,000 foreign tourists, up 17% year-on-year.
Travel to Ho Chi Minh Vietnam, overall, Ho Chi Minh City has welcomed 1.9 million international guests so far this year, up 13.7% year-on-year and accounting for 59% of the national figure.
The city is still maintaining its position as the biggest travel hub in the country, and will remain so in the next few years, predicted Stephen Koay Swee Lim, general director of Ben Thanh Management Service Co., Ltd.
He told the Daily that Ho Chi Minh City has less tourist attractions than some other major destinations like Hanoi or the central region, but international guests would be continuing to come.
“Ho Chi Minh City is the main transportation point and the place has more services to cater to business guests, and that is the main reason behind the city’s high position,” he said.
The city’s tourism is looking forward to 2.65 million international visitors this year, up 13% over last year. The tourism revenue for 2007 is expected at VND19.5 trillion, up 20% compared to last year’s.
(Source: SGT)
|
