Tourism property forum kicks off in city

Some 350 tourism property projects by 20 companies from twelve provinces and cities nationwide were displayed at the Vietnam Tourism Property Opportunities Conference and Exhibition that kicked off yesterday at the New World Hotel Saigon.

The two-day event, named VnTPO-2008, is organized by PhuquocLand East Asia Corporation with an aim to promote investments in the field of real estate, tourism and leisure industries in Vietnam as well as to create a platform for international and domestic investors to meet, discuss and exchange business opportunities, the organizer said.

"This first VnTPO carries a main message: 'Unveil the Hidden Charm, and PhuquocLand expects to make it an annual event with an aim to attract more international investments into the tourism property sector in the country," said Than Thanh Vu, chairman and CEO of the corporation.

Leaders of the provinces including Lao Cai, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Lam Dong, Binh Duong, HCMC, Long An, An Giang, and Kien Giang will present the potentiality, opportunities and projects calling for investment in the tourism Industry, Vu told the Daily on Wednesday. The Northern Investment Promotion Center will also join the event.

The forum also attracts some 450 domestic executives and officials and some 15 corporate and government representatives from Kuwait, India, China, Hungary, UK, the U.S., Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore to exchange business opportunities.

To facilitate the organization of similar events in the following years, PhuquocLand will also establish the VnTPO Consultancy Committee grouping different local and foreign experts in the tourism property area, who will help provide vision, directions and advice for making VnTPO better and more effective in the future.

According to the Foreign Direct Investment Department of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, total registered foreign investment capital into hotel construction and tourism projects of the country has so far amounted to some US$11bil, or 10% of total FDI commitments at the moment.

Phan Huu Thang, director of the department, said the Government has been encouraging foreign investment in the tourism industry, particularly in projects that help preserve tourism and environmental resources for the future.

Source : SGT