Quang Nam (VNA) – Preserving intrinsic values of local culturalheritages and accelerating tourism promotion should be included in Hoi Ancity’s mechanisms to support sustainable tourism development, according to alocal official.

Speaking at a meeting held in the ancient city on November 1, which drew theparticipation of many travel agencies, Vice Chairman of the city People’sCommittee Nguyen Van Son said that last year, the locality welcomed more than3.3 million visitors, and earned over 3.57 trillion VND (153 million USD) fromtourism revenue.

Meanwhile, over 4.5 million travellers chose Hoi An to spend their holidaysduring January-October this year, up nearly 77 percent from the same time lastyear. Among the visitors, 3.4 million were foreigners, he said.

However, the local tourism sector is facing tough challenges as rapidurbanisation and integration have exerted pressure on local transportinfrastructure and environment. Meanwhile, the so-called “zero VND” tours havecatered to an increasing number of tourists to the city who caused huge lossesto local tourism revenue, though.

Shortage of new tourism packages and quality human resources in the sector alsoimpacts the city’s tourism development, he pointed out.

Vo Van Van, Chairman of the Quang Nam Tourism Association, described looseconnection among travel companies as another challenge to form alluring tourismproducts.

Hoi An city would magnatise more vacationers if the city can stop streetvendors from cheating tourists or soliciting them to buy their wares, and ensureorder in the tourist hub, he underlined.

Van suggested developing high-quality tourism products by enhancing cooperationamong travel firms and improving capacity of staff as a significant measure toattract visitors from traditional markets and those with big pockets.

Participants at the event recommended the city consider accelerating electronicentrance ticket selling, and providing tourists with necessary informationabout the city, including maps and introduction of cultural relic sites.

Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam has been ranked the 14th best placein the world for expatriates to live by The Travel website, thanks to the ancienttown’s “cheap cost of living”.

According to the Canadian travel site, Hoi An is the best destination forbudget-conscious foreigners who want to settle down in Vietnam, and monthlyliving costs can be managed within 1,000 USD.

British newspaper The Telegraph in September named Hoi An among the world’scheapest global destinations, citing the Post Office’s annual Long Haul HolidayReport.

Meanwhile, in June, HoiAn gained the second place in a list of the safest and most exciting places onthis Earth for solo travellers compiled by travel editors at UK travel siteMomondo.

Two years ago, the town was hailed as the cheapest travel destination by budgettourism site Price of Travel, with daily expenses for a backpacker estimated at22.29 USD.-VNA