HANOI: The tourism industry in 2024 has seen positive signals as ocean liners have bustled at ports for the past 10 days, bringing tens of thousands of foreign visitors to Vietnam, reported the state news agency (VNA).

According to the UN World Tourism Organisation, sea tourism generates revenue over 40% higher than air or land travel. However, this niche market requires suitable measures for efficient exploitation.

Nguyen Huyen Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Quang Ninh – which houses the UNESCO world heritage site Ha Long Bay, stated that as the sea tourism season unfolds this year, the northern coastal province has been continuously receiving high-end international cruise ships with thousands aboard. Particularly noteworthy was the simultaneous New Year arrival in Ha Long of the Portuguese-flagged Vasco Da Gama carrying nearly 650 German tourists and the Celebrity Solstice of Maltese nationality with 3,000 visitors.

Meanwhile, the central coastal city of Da Nang, which hosted 22 shi
ps with over 18,000 passengers onboard last year, has anticipated welcoming 45 liners with over 40,000 passengers this year. Most recently, over 2,000 passengers on the Westerdam arrived at the local Tien Sa port to celebrate the New Year.

Travel agencies stressed that Vietnam’s extensive coastline, featuring destinations along vital maritime routes in Asia, positions the country ideally for connecting sea tourism routes regionally and globally. There is a significant opportunity for Vietnam to become a hub for sea tourism in the future. However, attracting and retaining this type of traveller for an extended duration remains challenging.

Source: Emirates News Agency