Addressing a meeting to review the “Impressive Vietnam” tourism stimulus campaign, which was held on January 28, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said the campaign concluded successfully and contributed to preventing the decline of foreign visitors to Vietnam and warming up domestic market.

As a result, the tourism sector should intensify domestic promotion campaigns to attract more local tourists, he stressed.

During 2009, the tourism sector served 25 million local travellers, a 20% increase compared to previous years.

The campaign heated up domestic tours, especially from March to October last year, despite the difficulties caused by the adverse impacts of the global financial crisis.

“Impressive Vietnam” helped travel agencies, hotels and service suppliers join hands to offer tours at competitive prices and enjoy shared profits.

During 2010, many events of great significance to the country will take place, especially the grand ceremony to mark the Thang Long-Hanoi millennial anniversary, providing a chance for the tourism sector to attract even more foreign visitors and promote local tourism development.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said it will continue to offer trade promotion programmes at opportune junctures, to cope with difficulties and challenges that influence the tourism sector’s development and sustainability.

The VNAT will also increase efforts to popularise the image of Vietnam to foreign markets.

January this year has seen a 20.4% increase in the number of foreign arrivals compared to one year ago, marking a good start for the year.