Vietnam – expecting to welcome 3.8 million tourist arrivals next year – will allow travel companies to hire foreign organizations to carry out promotional activities abroad. 

Vo Thi Thang, head of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the nation’s tourism watchdog, said the government’s plan comes as local companies are not yet capable of meeting advertising demand overseas to make Vietnam better known as a safe and interesting destination.

“Foreign countries have allocated big funds for tourism promotion. But, Vietnam’s promotional budgets are still limited,” Thang said.

The central government has assigned the Ministry of Finance to formulate a mechanism governing the issue for submission in the first half of 2006.
 
Under the plan, the domestic tourism industry is permitted to hire foreign organizations or individuals for promotion activities which local companies cannot execute or satisfy requirements.

Tenders will be put out to select foreign promotion partners. For projects subject to appoint a contractor without open tenders, finance minister will make the final decision.

The minister will have to forward projects which go beyond his authority to the prime minister for approval.

Source: VnExpress - Compiled by Thanh Hang