Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/28/2010 -- In Vietnam tourism authorities have outlined details of a ten-year plan which aims to attract more high-end tourists to its beaches.

Currently, more than seventy percent of the country’s tourists visit Vietnam’s coastal provinces but, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the country has failed to tap into this lucrative market.

VNAT deputy head, Nguyen Manh Cuong commented; "Getting ten customers who are willing to pay for luxury tours will bring us an income higher than one hundred customers who pay for regular tours."

Cuong added that the plan is to build luxury beach villages with villas, hotels and resorts capable of attracting high-end tourists.

Nguyen Thanh Huong, deputy head of VNAT's Marketing Department, said the number of tourists would be exactly the same but the numbers of high spenders would boost income from high quality tourism services and products.

Deputy head of the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research, Pham Trung Luong, said that brand building had been given little attention in the past and would be of high priority:

"We will focus on products that are distinct from other countries in the region. The first step in brand building will be to create a logo and slogan for coastal and beach tourism. To allay fears about the adverse impacts of tourism on coastal ecology, plans will be well designed."

During the ten-year development plan, VNAT will discuss the benefits for local Vietnamese people with their local authorities.

Tourism authorities will also discuss ways to manage the sewage and wastewater issues in coastal provinces throughout Vietnam.

Key coastal areas to receive attention will be Long-Cat Ba in the north, Phong Nha-Ke Bang in central Quang Binh province and southern central Nha Trang, Binh Thuan and Phu Yen provinces.

The pristine Phu Quoc Island in the southern Kien Giang province of Vietnam will also be targeted.

Rebecca Smith - Writer

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