By Robert Bicknell Việt Nam won the “Asia’s Best Golf Destination 2018” award at the World Golf Awards last November. This is the second time Việt Nam has won. In addition, The Grand Ho Tram Strip won for “Asia’s Best Golf Hotel” and Ba Na Hill Golf Club in Đà Nẵng won the title of “Asia’s Best Golf Course”. The Việt Nam National Tourism Administration (VNAT) says “the tourism sector needs to devise a long-term development plan to popularize and bolster growth and investment in Việt Nam” and chose one of the biggest names in golf, Greg Norman, to act as a tourism representative for the country. Norman, aka “The Great White Shark” knows a thing or two about golf in Việt Nam as he designed five of the top courses in the country including The Da Nang Dunes Course, The Bluffs at the Ho Tram Strip, and KN Golf Links in Nha Trang. While working in Việt Nam, … [Read more...] about Golf tourism has a fair way to go to break par in Vietnam
Thailand as a tourist destination
Thailand welcomes 10 million Chinese tourists in 2018
Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat (L) welcomes He Weixin, the 10 millionth Chinese visitor (Photo: Xinhua) Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand has now received its 10 millionth Chinese tourist for 2018, a milestone for the country’s tourism industry, reported Xinhua news agency. On December 19, tourism officials in Thailand organised a welcome ceremony for the country’s 10 millionth Chinese visitor at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat said the welcoming of the milestone traveller marked the first time Thailand has ever reached such a high tourism figure, exemplifying the national tourism industry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen global awareness of Thailand as a top destination. Thailand will improve the country’s safety and security standards, and improve facilities and access to emerging secondary provinces to make the country a more preferred destination for Chinese tourists, he … [Read more...] about Thailand welcomes 10 million Chinese tourists in 2018
A pagoda in southern Vietnam reflects Khmer glory
By Hong Ha  August 8, 2018 | 09:30 am GMT+7 100-year-old Xiem Can Pagoda in Bac Lieu Province harks back to times when the Khmer culture flourished in Vietnam. The Xiem Can Pagoda was built in 1887. “Xiem Can” means “adjacent to water” in Teochew, a variation of the Chinese language. The name comes from the fact that the land sits right next to a sand bar. The pagoda is reminiscent of places of worship found in Thailand and Cambodia. Angkor architectural elements can be found in the entrance to this pagoda. Xiem Can exudes peace and quiet at all times. Several tall trees provide a backdrop to the small towers where ashes of the deceased are placed. Such towers are distinctly Khmer. The Nirvana Buddha idol is one of the pagoda's highlights. "Kinh no," which means fairy in Khmer language, is one of many motifs found in the Xiem Can pagoda. The four-faced god or "prum" with each face representing a character in the four immeasurables of … [Read more...] about A pagoda in southern Vietnam reflects Khmer glory
Vietnam attracts record tourist numbers in 2017 but still can’t escape bad reputation
2017 has been another record breaking year for tourism as foreign visitors to Vietnam surged 29.1 percent over the previous year, reaching an all-time high of 12.9 million, according to the General Statistics Office. The country consistently makes it into “world’s top 10 lists” by reputable travel sites and newspapers like The Guardian, CNN, Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor and Rough Guides. But just as it is famous for pristine beaches, misty mountains, buzzing cities, mouth watering food and friendly people, the “rough side" of the country hasn’t escaped its global image either. Visa issues aside, robbery, petty crimes, traffic accidents and service quality continue to put visitors off one year after Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue asked tourism agencies to solve them. There have been some improvements but Vietnam still has a long way to go, said Nguyen Quoc Ky, CEO of travel company Vietravel. Many hotlines set up to resolve tourism incidents don't … [Read more...] about Vietnam attracts record tourist numbers in 2017 but still can’t escape bad reputation
13 million foreigners chose Vietnam as their holiday destination in 2017
Local tourism accommodation has been developed, surpassing 25,000 establishments with more than 500,000 rooms. There are now 116 five-star hotels with over 33,000 rooms, 259 four-star hotels, and 488 three-star hotels nationwide.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) reported that the tourism sector successfully fulfilled the target of 30-percent rise in the number of foreign visitors.While promotion activities have been enhanced and reformed, the sector has also attracted much social investment in tourism, especially the high-end segment. Many localities have made efforts to attract investment in tourism and develop tourism products. Vietnam has also won a number of tourism awards and titles in 2017, which helped promote the country’s image during integration into the world, the ministry noted.The MCST also admitted certain shortcomings in the industry, including limited services at some tourism areas, low competitiveness, a shortage of strong tourism brand names, … [Read more...] about 13 million foreigners chose Vietnam as their holiday destination in 2017
Thailand to set up rescue centres in major national parks
Khao Yai national park (Source: asiatravelroutes)Hanoi (VNA) - Thailand plans to set up rescue centres in seven national parks throughout the country, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Surasak Kanchanarat said on December 26.The planned rescue centers will be established in seven major national parks to provide emergency assistance and rescue missions for any visitors in trouble, either Thai or foreigners, Surasak said.He assured that the planned centers will use modern rescue equipment, such as helicopters and ambulances, to ensure optimum safety of the visitors.The benefited national parks include Khao Yai national park in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, Doi Inthanon national park in the northern province of Chiang Mai and those on tourist islands in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand off the southern provinces of Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani, among others. They are largely viewed as favorite tourist destinations by many foreign … [Read more...] about Thailand to set up rescue centres in major national parks
Thailand tourism promotion strategy for 2011 Amazing Thailand always amazes you
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced its promotional strategy for 2011 along with several initiatives designed for specific market segments. For next year, TAT will still use the highly-successful “Amazing Thailand” theme. It will be enhanced with the new tag line “Always Amazes You” to reinforce the many aspects of “Thainess” that are so appealing to visitors from all over the world. Some 15.5 million international tourist arrivals will be targeted for 2011, generating an approximate revenue of 600 billion Baht (US$18.5 billion), an increase of 9 percent from last year, and the domestic tourism sector expects to have 91 million trips with revenue of 432 billion Baht (US$13.3 billion), a rise of 3 percent from last year. The “Amazing Thailand” theme has gained worldwide recognition, as it built up the country’s strong brand and positioning as a destination that offers tremendous value-for-money, a unique … [Read more...] about Thailand tourism promotion strategy for 2011 Amazing Thailand always amazes you
UDON THANI – NEW ENTRANT IN THE AMAZING THAILAND GRAND SALES 2015
UDON THANI - NEW ENTRANT IN THE AMAZING THAILAND GRAND SALES 2015 Thailand’s popular two-month-long annual Grand Sale is back this year, to be held between June 15 and August 15 in seven popular tourism cities nationwide. This year, for the first time, the northeastern provincial city of Udon Thani has joined the list. More than 15,000 merchants in 93 department stores & shopping complexes as well as shopping/dining zones will be offering discounts of between five to 80% in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Udon Thani and Hat Yai. Initiated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale (ATGS) has been held annually since 1998 to boost tourism and visitor expenditure, further building the image of Thailand as a major shopping destination and contribute to job creation and distribution of income nationwide. VISA has backed the event as an exclusive partner since 1999. It promotes local and international spending volume by giving … [Read more...] about UDON THANI – NEW ENTRANT IN THE AMAZING THAILAND GRAND SALES 2015
Vietnam among Top 10 fastest-growing tourist destinations
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The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has revealed the world’s Top 10 fastest-growing tourist destinations in 2017, with Vietnam finding a place.Vietnam is not exactly a stranger to tourism, according to the UNWTO. Anyone who has visited Ha Long Bay, where junk boats packed with tourists jostle for space on polluted waters, will likely have seen the grimmer side of the country’s burgeoning tourism industry. The organization also recommended Ninh Binh, “the inland Ha Long Bay”, as a less-crowded alternative to the oversubscribed tourist staple.Together with beautiful nature diversified with mountains, forests, deltas, beaches, caves, waterfalls and rivers, its various tasty and cheap street food and friendly people have also attracted more and more tourists.It welcomed over 1.17 million international tourists in November, an increase of 14.4 per cent compared to October, bringing the total to 11.6 million in the first eleven months of 2017, up … [Read more...] about Vietnam among Top 10 fastest-growing tourist destinations
Local tour operators yet to resume tours to Thailand
Local tour operators yet to resume tours to ThailandBy Dao Loan - The Saigon Times DailyHCMC – HCMC-based travel agencies have decided to postpone tours to Thailand indefinitely instead of restarting them early this week as planned earlier and wait until the flood subsides.Representatives of travel firms said this was the longest suspension ever after tours to this country was opened.Vietravel, one of the firms having the biggest number of clients traveling to Thailand, had earlier suspended its tours from October 26 to November 6. Now, its tours to Thailand have yet to be restarted as clients often update information regarding the flood and decide not to go, explained Nguyen Minh Man, media manager of Vietravel.Vietravel normally has around 100 clients departing for Thailand each day around this time of the year but has got no tour bookings for a half month.TST Tourist is in the same boat. The firm is waiting for the flight schedule of Vietnam Airlines and updated information … [Read more...] about Local tour operators yet to resume tours to Thailand