Hanoi (VNA) - The recently-issuedstrategy for Vietnam’s tourism development to 2030 is expected to be a driving forcefor the industry in weathering the storm posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, accordingto the Cong Thuong (Industry & Trade) newspaper.

Approved by Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc, the strategy aims to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sectorwith sustainable development that creates momentum for other sectors.

Under the strategy, Vietnam isto become one of the top 30 countries in terms of tourism competitiveness by 2030.It hopes to attract at least 50 million foreign visitors and 160 million domestictravelers each year, earn 3.1-3.2 trillion VND (130-135 billion USD) in revenue,and post annual tourism growth of 11-12 percent over the next decade.

The global COVID-19 pandemic hastaken a toll on multiple sectors, with tourism among the hardest-hit.

Some experts, however, believethe new strategy, which features clear targets and support policies, will be a drivingforce and provide the opportunity for Vietnam’s tourism industry to overcome theimpacts of the outbreak.

The Cong Thuong newspaper saidthe directions towards tourism growth set out in the strategy match the currenttrend of sustainable development, as it specifies synchronous and drastic solutions,including improving awareness among people and businesses about ensuring visitorshave a good impression of the country, developing tourism infrastructure and humanresources, diversifying markets and products, boosting tourism promotions, and buildingbrands.

Such solutions also focus on creatingan optimal business environment, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises andhouseholds providing tourism services to acquire digital skills and access to financialsources, facilitating visa granting, developing large-scale and world-standard tourismcomplexes, and helping people engage in community-based tourism.

Foreign arrivalsto Vietnam plunged 63.8 percent in March against February and 68.1 percent year-on-year.The first quarter total stood at around 3.7 million, down 18.1 percent from thesame period last year, according to the General Statistics Office.

Meanwhile,the World Tourism Organisation has projected that the number of foreign touristsglobally will fall by 1-3 percent this year rather than grow 3-4 percent as forecastin January just prior to the outbreak./.