Vietnam expects rise in 1999 foreign arrivals
HANOI - Vietnam expects 1.7 million
foreigners, including tourists, to enter the country this year, up
11.8 percent from last year, official media reported on
Wednesday.
The Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper said revenue
earned by the tourism industry would be around $530 million
this year, up 15.6 percent from 1998.
Officials were not available to comment, but Hanoi had
previously said it wanted to attract two million foreign visitors
this year.
Vietnam lumps tourist figures with total arrivals, which also
include business and official visitors.
Vietnam has seen steady growth in tourist and business arrivals
since the country began opening its doors to the outside world in
the late 1980s.
But many tourists complain about discriminatory prices for
foreigners, complicated visa requirements and a lack of
infrastructure such as good roads.
Reuters - December 01, 1999.
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