Hanoi (VNA) – The central provincessaw a rise in number of tourists to their beaches during the four-day national holidayin early May, signaling a bright prospect for sea tourism in the region inparticular and in the nation in general, an official has said.

According to Ngo Hoai Chung, DirectorGeneral of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) under theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), the central region saw ayear-on-year increase of around 3 percent in the number of visitors in thefirst four months this year. International arrivals surged 11-12 percent fromthe same period last year.

During the holiday on the occasions of theNational Reunification Day and the International Labour Day from April 30 toMay 3, all accommodation facilities were occupied up to 95 percent, Chung citedlocal reports as saying.

Under the Ministry’s national action planfor tourism development in 2017, priorities are given to assist the centralregion to recover tourism development from a slump after the marine environmentincident last year, according to Chung.

A number of measures have been implemented includingarranging famtrips for press representatives and encouraging tourist agenciesto develop new sea-related products. Assistance will be provided to localtourism sector to train human resources for tourism services and hospitality.    

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee ofQuang Nam province Le Van Thanh said Quang Nam Heritage Festival 2017 isexpected to be a major event in the sea tourism season, with numerousactivities such as an international kite flying contest in Tam Thanh beach anda choir competition with the participation of 32 troupes from 15 countries and territories.

Deputy Director of Vietrantour Pham ThiBich Ngoc said the company expects to serve 15,000 visitors during this summer,up nearly 30 percent from the same period last year. The most popular tours arethose to beaches in Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang, Ninh Thuan and BinhThuan in the central region.

Other sea destinations also hope for a goodseason. Deputy Director of Tourism Department of the northern province of QuangNinh Trinh Dang Thanh said since the start of summer, the province has welcomedover 320,000 arrivals, partly thanks to the “Ha Long – Quang Ninh Tourism Week2017”.

The sea tourism season is expected to seean increase of 30-35 percent from 2016 in the number of visitors.-VNA