Congress of Delegates of Vietnam Tourism Association, Term IV

TCongress scene. Photo: H. Quynh

During the third term, VITA has promoted policy-making activities and supported businesses: coordinated with state agencies in proposing to the government, the prime minister and local authorities to implement many positive solutions to overcome difficulties and create favorable conditions for tourism development such as visa issues, taxes, fees, charges, security, safety, creating a friendly environment for tourists; organized or participated in conferences and seminars to contribute ideas to amend the Law on Tourism to make the draft Law on Tourism closer to reality; implemented Resolution 35/NQ-CP on supporting and developing businesses for all members; coordinated with the General Department of Tourism to promote propaganda on the importance of visa exemption for tourists; coordinated with the Central Economic Committee to organize seminars to contribute ideas to the project submitted to the government to recommend the Politburo to issue a Resolution on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector in the new situation; Participate in reviewing and appraising to submit to competent state agencies for consideration and promulgation of national occupational standards in the tourism sector; coordinate in developing Circulars guiding the application and evaluation of the Green Lotus Sustainable Tourism Label for tourist accommodation establishments.

Regarding product development, VITA has coordinated to propose solutions to promote and expand the tourism market such as proposing the government to exempt visas for international visitors from a number of key markets; reform visa procedures and expand visa issuance at border gates, creating convenience for tourists to enter Vietnam. Proposing to authorities at all levels and functional agencies to implement solutions to build the image of a safe, friendly and attractive destination for tourists; regularly organizing or participating in organizing Famtrip, Presstrip programs, survey programs to build tours, routes, and tourist attractions within each locality or linking many localities.

With promotional efforts, every year VITA organizes for Vietnamese enterprises to participate in booths at the ITB Germany fair; successfully organizes the Vietnam International Tourism Fair (VITM), each year attracting over 500 booths of about 700 enterprises from 20-25 countries and territories; participates in many promotional programs, promotion, and tourism development cooperation in key markets in Europe, Northeast Asia and ASEAN; promotes close cooperation with tourism organizations of countries and territories such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, European countries, ASEAN; airlines, transport companies, service providers and local authorities, creating favorable conditions for tourism development.

Entering the new term, VITA will continue to build policies; support businesses; develop tourism products and markets; train and recognize the title of "Responsible Tourism" for businesses; promote information, promotion and international cooperation; continue to effectively exploit the presence of representative offices of Vietnamese tourism businesses in Japan; coordinate with the Vietnam Tourism Culture Center in France to promote promotional activities in the French market in particular and the European market in general; promote cooperation with international tourism associations, other professional social organizations...

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien speaks at the Congress. Photo: H.Chi

Speaking at the Congress, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien affirmed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the General Department of Tourism will always accompany and create the most favorable conditions for VITA to develop strongly. At the same time, they will always closely coordinate in the process of tourism development management in activities of orientation, product development, brand building and tourism promotion, inspection and control of tourism service quality. The Deputy Minister also suggested that VITA should focus on effective implementation and create favorable conditions in all aspects to promote the results achieved in the third term and effectively implement the goals and directions in the fourth term. In particular, it is necessary to pay special attention to the work of building a development organization to improve the quality of tourism products and diversify methods of tourism promotion; continue to innovate and be more creative in the organization and activities to build a truly strong and sustainable Association.

The Congress also elected 75 delegates to the Executive Committee and 5 delegates to the Inspection Committee of the Vietnam Tourism Association for the 4th term (2017 - 2022).

The Thanh