Vietnam ranked among top growth tourist destinations

(CPV) – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) assessed that in the first six months of 2010, Asia and the Middle East had the highest tourism growth. The UNWTO said that the number of foreign tourists around the globe has been 421 million, a 7% increase compared to the same period last year. With this, the world’s tourism sector will likely reach a growth of 4% for the whole year of 2010. Tourism growth was seen in emerging markets such as the Middle East with 20% and Asia Pacific with 14%. Some destinations in Asia had impressive growth, including Sri Lanka with 49%, Japan with 36%, Vietnam and Myanmar with 35%, Hong Kong and Macao (China) with 23%, Singapore with 23%, reported the UNWTO. The UNWTO said that the tourism industry will continue to grow during the rest of the year but will still face difficulties from the global recession of 2009. For the period, regional and local tourism will play important roles in the world’s tourism growth. With being ranked among top destinations with the highest growth, Vietnam’s tourism is striving to rise to the world level with many attractive destinations and high-quality properties honored and recognized by many of the world’s media websites. Specifically, Hanoi and Hoi An have been selected among 10 Asian destinations by one of Southeast Asia’s most widely read travel-trade media outlets, Smart Travel Asia. Some hotels and resorts in Vietnam were also named in the "Top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts" by Smart Travel Asia, including the Nam Hai, Hoi An at 2nd place, Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi at 3rd place, Sofitel Dalat Palace, Dalat at 21st place and Princess d'Annam Resort&Spa, Binh Thuan at 25th place. In addition, Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, a UNESCO recognised world heritage site, has jumped to second place among 28 finalists of the online voting for the world’s new seven wonders, by New Open World (NOW).