Quang Ninh welcomes 7.5 million tourist arrivals from start of year

The northern province of Quang Ninh greeted about 7.5 million tourist arrivals from the beginning of 2014, 97% of the year’s target or equal to that of the same period last year, according to statistics by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Of this figure, 2.55 million were foreign tourists, 93% of the year’s target of 98% of that of a year earlier.

The number of tourists staying overnight in the province reached 3.6 million, 95% of the year’s target and a 20% rise from a year earlier. This figure included 1.27 million foreign tourists, 85% of the year’s target and 85% of a year earlier.

While the province saw a reduction in tourist arrivals from the Northeast Asian market, those from the European, American and Australian markets continued to rise, such as France (15%), the UK (27%), Spain (43%), Denmark (31%), Switzerland (41%), the US (16%) and Australia (4%).

Total tourism turnover reached an estimated VND5.5 trillion, a year-on-year rise of 10%.

In the rest of the year, the provincial tourism sector is urging tourism businesses and travel agencies to offer promotional programs and discounted tours to fulfill the target of welcoming 7.7 million tourist arrivals in 2014./.