Latest news with #InternationalTourismFair
Tatler Asia
22-05-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
Legacy 50: How has the Vietnamese tourism industry changed after 50 years?
At the time, the Vietnamese tourism industry also attracted growing interest from the workforce. Between 1991 and 2009, the number of direct employees in the sector increased almost twentyfold, from 21,000 to 370,000. Not only did the number of workers rise, but the industry also welcomed a greater proportion of highly skilled professionals. Educational institutions and universities introduced formal training programmes dedicated to the tourism services sector. In addition to celebrated natural attractions, a series of events were launched to draw international visitors and drive tourism growth, including the City Tourism Festival and the International Tourism Fair. You may be interested in: Legacy 50: Architects who 'shaped' Saigon's memories These factors contributed significantly to the sector's momentum. By 1990, Vietnam had welcomed more than 250,000 international arrivals—an impressive achievement just over a decade after reunification. At the same time, foreign investors also turned their attention to the country's burgeoning tourism sector. In 2009 alone, foreign direct investment into tourism reached US$8.8 billion, accounting for 41% of the total registered FDI capital, highlighting Vietnam's considerable development potential at the time. 2007–2020: Vietnam's tourism landscape transforms with the rise of luxury resorts During this period, Vietnam's economy maintained a steady growth trajectory, even amidst the turbulence of the global financial crisis. In 2008, tourism revenues approached $4 billion, with 4.2 million tourist arrivals recorded. From 2010 to 2015, the annual growth rate of international visitors stood at 9.48%, up from 8.95% during the 2006–2010 period. Between 2015 and 2019, the tourism industry witnessed remarkable growth, achieving an average annual increase of 22.7% in international arrivals. In 2015, Vietnam welcomed 7.9 million international tourists, rising to 18 million by 2019, a striking figure for the industry at the time. As tourist numbers climbed, the travel and culinary service sectors flourished, offering increasingly diverse experiences to meet the tastes of a wide range of visitors. As travellers' expectations grew more sophisticated, high-end hotels, restaurants, and luxury resorts began to appear across Vietnam, receiving an enthusiastic welcome. One notable example is Amanoi, the prestigious Aman group's property that opened in the picturesque Vinh Hy Bay in 2013. Amanoi Ninh Thuan has since become a leading destination for those seeking tranquillity, and in 2024, it was recognised by Tatler Best Asia as one of the 100 leading hotels on the continent, praised for its seamless blend of natural privacy and exceptional service. In the realm of fine dining, 2018 saw the debut of Quince Saigon, the Vietnam outpost of Thailand's acclaimed Quince Eatery. With its signature Mediterranean flavours, Quince Saigon swiftly captured the attention of gourmets and critics alike, earning a place in Tatler Best Asia 's 2025 list of the 100 Best Restaurants in Asia. 2021–Present: Post-COVID recovery and impressive milestones in tourism After a period of rapid expansion, the Vietnamese tourism industry inevitably slowed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouragingly, once social distancing measures lifted, the sector showed signs of strong recovery, posting impressive figures. According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam welcomed 3.7 million international visitors in 2022, with numbers surging to 12.6 million in 2023. Explaining the resurgence, Ms Jackie Ong, Senior Head of Tourism and Hospitality Management at RMIT University Vietnam, notes that following the lifting of restrictions worldwide, Vietnam emerged as a preferred destination on the global tourism map. This growing recognition is further evidenced by the numerous prestigious accolades the country has received from the World Travel Awards. Meanwhile, Mr Nam (Steve) Nguyen, General Manager at Vietnam, observed that Vietnam's tourism industry is making remarkable progress. He also noted that many of the country's high-end resorts, local culinary offerings and iconic attractions are now recognised among the top choices in Asia and beyond. In the wake of COVID-19, travellers have become increasingly mindful of their physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, private, nature-connected spaces and personalised wellness services have become key priorities. Notably, Regent Phu Quoc and Zannier Bai San Ho—two luxury resorts honoured by Tatler Best in the list of Asia's top 100 hotels—both offer guests a wide range of treatments designed to nurture both body and mind. At the same time, as culinary tourism continues to gain momentum, Vietnamese cuisine has further cemented its reputation on the international stage, thanks to the emergence of a new generation of culinary talents. While street food remains a celebrated part of Vietnam's cultural identity, fine dining establishments are reimagining traditional dishes with creative flair. Among them are Gia Restaurant and Akuna Restaurant, two venues recognised by Tatler Best among the 100 leading restaurants in Asia, praised for their refined marriage of contemporary global techniques with the traditional essence of Vietnamese cuisine. The forms of tourism in Vietnam are also evolving, with a stronger emphasis on sustainability. Alongside familiar offerings, trends such as agricultural tourism, ecotourism and spiritual tourism are capturing the interest of travellers. Meanwhile, organisations within the sector are increasingly adopting technology and exploring innovative solutions aimed at fostering more sustainable development, from reducing emissions to minimising resource waste. It is clear that, after 50 years of unification, the Vietnamese economy in general—and the tourism industry in particular—has weathered many challenges and periods of transformation. Through perseverance and ambition, Vietnam continues to develop and affirm its unique place on the global map. Looking ahead, the high-end tourism sector in Vietnam is set to grow even more vibrant, with the upcoming debut of exciting new names such as InterContinental Residences Ha Long Bay (expected to open in 2025), The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh, Four Seasons Resort Nam Hai—Hoi An, Capella Hanoi Hotel, and La Mejor Hotel & Sky Bar.
Euronews
27-01-2025
- Business
- Euronews
The President of the Region of Valencia Optimistic About Tourism Recovery After October Floods
Madrid (23.01.25). The Region of Valencia takes the stage at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) with a clear message of recovery and hope following the devastating floods of October 29. These floods left a profound emotional impact on the region, but the regional government reaffirms its commitment to rebuilding and moving forward stronger than ever. "The Region of Valencia has suffered an emotional blow from the terrible floods, but we are determined that our resilience and resolve will help us overcome this adversity. We are here at FITUR to show the world that we are ready to rise again, that our tourist destinations are fully operational and ready to be enjoyed. Whether it's Castellón, Alicante, or Valencia, our land is 100% open and welcoming tourists who have always trusted us," said Carlos Mazón, President of the Regional Government of Valencia. Tourism Records and Sustained Growth 2024 was a record-breaking year for the Region of Valencia in terms of tourism, surpassing 11 million international visitors and achieving milestones across all areas. Against this backdrop, the Regional Grove of Valencia remains committed to advancing with a sustainable growth model. "Our goal is to continue growing, but always in a sustainable and environmentally respectful way. The Region of Valencia has been a pioneer in implementing responsible tourism policies. We are the first region in Spain to have a tourism strategy certified by AENOR, which endorses our commitment to sustainability. Additionally, we have taken proactive steps in regulating key sectors, such as holiday rentals, to ensure orderly and balanced growth," emphasized the President of the Regional Government. The Generalitat also highlights that, unlike other destinations, the Region of Valencia will not impose additional tourist taxes. 'We want visitors to enjoy our wonders without paying a 'happiness tax.' We firmly believe that tourism grows sustainably only when both tourists and the environment are respected,' Carlos Mazón reiterated. Future Plans: Infrastructure and International Promotion Looking ahead, the Region of Valencia is launching a new promotional campaign at FITUR to further enhance its presence in international markets. 'We will invest more than ever in promotion because we believe in tourism as an economic and social driver. We are a welcoming land, and we are confident that 2025 will be a year of even greater achievements,' stated the President. One of the key challenges the Regional Government of Valencia is addressing is the improvement of essential infrastructure, such as the Valencia and Alicante airports, which have broken passenger records. The Government of Valencia Region has requested the Spanish Government to expand and modernize these airports to meet the region's growth needs. 'We need infrastructure that matches our tourism reality. Connectivity is crucial to continue positioning the Region of Valencia as one of the world's most desired destinations,' concluded President Carlos Mazón. The Region of Valencia continues to demonstrate that, despite adversity, it remains welcoming, resilient, and committed to offering the very best to its visitors.
Trade Arabia
27-01-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Fitur surpasses expectations with record numbers
Fitur, the International Tourism Fair organised by IFEMA Madrid, reported nearly 255,000 attendees, reaffirming the continued growth in the sector and the event's leadership position. The 45th International Tourism Fair took place from Janaury 22 to 26. A significant growth was in attendance during the first three days, which welcomed 155,000 professionals. These figures reflect the strong recovery of the global tourism industry in 2024, with 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals, according to UNWTO, as well as record numbers for both Spain and Madrid, which saw 94 million and 16 million visitors, respectively. Furthermore, these Fitur figures anticipate the forecast that, in 2025, both travellers and tourism spending will continue to grow, driven by strong demand. Worldwide, tourism-related revenues have reached $1.9 trillion, with Spain and Madrid following this trend. Tourist spending figures have risen to 126 billion euros nationally and 16 billion euros in the Madrid region. Moreover, these figures from Fitur anticipate that by 2025 both traveller numbers and tourism spending will continue to grow, driven by strong demand. Alongside these outstanding attendance figures, and with a total of nine halls, Fitur 2025 hosted more than 9,500 companies across 884 stands. This year, Fitur has brought together 156 countries from around the world, with 101 of them participating with official delegations. This influx also has an economic impact of 445 million euros on Madrid. Under the theme "Proud. We Are Tourism," Fitur has celebrated an edition in which all stakeholders have advocated for sustainability criteria to ensure balanced and viable global growth in the medium and long term for both the planet and local communities. Additionally, experts have emphasized how diversification, seasonality reduction, and the integration of new technological tools are driving an inclusive and competitive tourism model that ensures a more sustainable future for all. This model is promoting different types of tourism that contribute to this development, including sports, film, and language tourism. Progress toward this sustainable tourism model is also essential to preserve the right to travel for future generations, ensuring that travel remains an accessible and enriching reality.
