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Discussions focused on a number of topics, including requirements for Vietnam in tourism development in the new period, the 4th industrial revolution and changes in tourism business, e-marketing for Vietnamese tourism, and factors that affect tourism consumption amid global integration.
Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR), said 1.2 billion people worldwide travelled for holidays in 2016.
The figure is likely to rise this year despite conflicts and diseases, he added, noting that the Asia-Pacific region would maintain its position as the global top tourist destination.
Statistics from the institute showed that 40% of online searches for tourism information were done using smart phones. Tourists are taking advantage from posts on social network and review websites on different locations. The development of technology requires Vietnam’s tourism sector to quickly boost digital development.
Le Tuan Anh, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said exploiting digital applications are necessary for the sector to avoid setbacks.
In Vietnam, travel agencies have quickly caught up with the trend, while State agencies have shown little involvement, thus are yet to update their management models in line with the tendency.
