UNWTO Secretary General Rifai made the statement at a reception given by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan in Hanoi on May 10.
Vietnam is very interested in sustainable tourism development and focusing on tapping all potentials and strengths to turn tourism into the country’s spearhead economy, said Deputy PM Nhan.
He informed the guest of Vietnam’s tourism development situation and the country’s efforts to become an attractive destination to attract more tourists.
Nhan said he hoped to receive continued assistance and cooperation of UNWTO and international friends in the field.
Rifai, who is in Hanoi for the international tourism conference, praised Vietnam’s tourism development in the context of the global financial and economic crisis.
He informed his host of the content of discussions at the international tourism conference that opened in Hanoi on May 10.
He emphasised the need to create more jobs in the tourism sector, the balance between development investment and market expansion and further the exchange of information and experiences between countries to help the industry recover and develop.

(Source: VNA)