Vietnam Online

VietNamNet Bridge – Countries in the Great Mekong Sub-region (GMS) should pay attention to improving tourism service quality and infrastructure to meet the increasing demands of holiday-makers.
Deputy Director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism Pham Tu made the suggestion at a forum on building a more conducive investment environment for small and medium tourism enterprises in HCM City on March 30.

As the number of foreign tourists to the GMS is predicted to double the current figure by 2015 to reach 50mil visitors, the GMS needs to boost mutual cooperation to put forth suitable common policies to support enterprises involved in building tourism establishments, Tu added.

Senior Consultant at the Thai Institute for Small and Medium Enterprise Development Kamol Ratanavirakul suggested that the International Finance Cooperation (IFC), the Asia Development Bank (ADB), and the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) should give more support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the GMS.

More than 200 participants at the forum discussed opportunities, challenges, and shared experiences on financial support to SMEs involved in sustainable tourism.

The GMS is home to four natural and 10 cultural heritage sites which were recognised by the United Nations on Educational and Scientific Organisation as world heritage sites.

In 2005, the GMS welcomed over 20.5mil foreign visitors, representing 11% of the total visitors to the Asia-Pacific region.

The tourism sector brought in US$16bil, created 4mil jobs, thus contributing to hunger eradication in regional countries.