London (VNA) – Along with seeking partnershipin the UK and Europe, Vietnamese travel firms and localities attending the World Travel Market (WTM) in London fromNovember 7-9 have promoted the image of Vietnam as an attractive, friendly andsafe destination for international tourists.

The Vietnamese pavilion covers 250 sq.m, spreading themessage “Live fully in Vietnam” to the event, which draws about 5,000businesses from 182 countries and 51,000 visitors.

This year, Vietnam focuses on popularising sea tourism andthe country’s nature, culture and cities.

Various activities have been held during the event,including those to connect with international partners, art performances andthe introduction of the Vietnam National Tourism Year 2023, which is themed “BinhThuan: Green Tourism”.

Vo Anh Tai, Deputy General Director of Saigontourist, saidthat the UK is a promising market for Vietnamese tourism with visitors’ highspending at over 1,300 USD per day. Thanks to the visa exemption appliedfor five European countries, including the UK, the number of British touriststo Vietnam rose 20% each year from 2016 to 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, henoted.

Speaking at a press briefing within the WTM framework, Directorof the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanhsaid that Europe is one of the most important markets of Vietnam's tourism withover 2 million visitors, accounting for 12% of the total 18 millioninternational visitors to Vietnam before the pandemic.

Since Vietnam reopened its tourism, European tourists have beenthe first to visit Vietnam, he said, adding that their demand for information ofVietnamese tourism as well as tours to Vietnam is increasing.

Khanh cited data of the World Economic Forum showing thatVietnamese tourism competitiveness has improved considerably from the 52nd position worldwide in 2021, becoming one of the three countries with the fastestimprovement in the world.

In the January-October period, Vietnam welcomed over 2 million visitors, 18times that in the same period last year, while search volume forVietnamese tourism also rose 11 times compared to the figure recorded in earlyMarch, said the official.

Vietnam has applied visa exemption for visitors from 24countries and territories, and allowed online visa registration for citizens of80 countries and territories as part of the efforts to create favourable conditionsfor foreign visitors to enter Vietnam, he added.

At the press conference, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen HoangLong called on tourists and businesses from the UK and other countries toexplore the nation and people of Vietnam as well as investment and businessopportunities in the country./.