In 2016, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed over 5.2 million visitors, a rise of 10% against last year, and served 21.8 million domestic visitors, up 10% year on year.
The number of visitors to HCM City has been on the rise over the years, with an annual average growth of 8.2%. Revenue from tourism services has increased by 16.4% on average, accounting for 9% of the city’s gross domestic product (GDP).
However, the Ho Chi Minh City tourism sector has many limitations. The sector’s contribution to the economy is also not commensurate with its potential. The city’s tourism sector has a low base compared to that of other provinces in the region, which resulted in numerous restrictions in the infrastructure for tourism. Typical tourism products to attract tourists have not been formed.
Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Dinh La Thang, who chaired the conference, urged the city to focus on administrative reforms, mechanisms and policy perfection, infrastructure development and human resources training.
The tourism sector should focus on taking advantage of and exploiting existing potentials to create the unique tourism products to attract visitors, he said.
