Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN DEC 2020 60 The Mekong Delta is a vast array of waterways centered around the Mekong River. メコンデルタはメコン川を中心として多くの水路が広がる地域 R enowned for its unique blend of history and culture, unblemished landscapes and manmade wonders, vastly contrasting regions and authentically friendly people, Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse on the global tourism scene. The Southeast Asian nation, bordering Cambodia and Laos to the west and China to the north, with the turquoise waters of the East Sea running the full 3,260km length of its east and south coasts – attracted a record 18 million international visitors in 2019, up 16.2% year-on-year. Now one of the fastest growing economies in the world with real GDP growth of 7.0% in 2019 – placing it 11th globally and equal fastest in Asia alongside Cambodia – Vietnam is being rapidly propelled by travel and tourism which contributed 9.1% of that GDP growth last year . And, the COVID-19 pandemic aside, it doesn’t look like slowing anytime soon with the government targeting a GDP contribution from tourism of between 15% and 17% by 2030. “Vietnam has come a long way,” explains Steve Wolstenholme, CEO of Hoiana’s joint venture operating entity, Hoi An South Development Ltd. “Vietnam still has that young person’s appeal because of the price point, but it is maturing. People may have visited here 10 years ago as backpackers, but many of those people want to come back and have a different experience that is a little more upscale. “The actual parameters of the clientele coming into Vietnam are evolving to a more sophisticated, slightly more upscale clientele and there is now that broad range of facilities available to suit.” The explosive growth of Vietnam’s tourism industry is reflected in hotel room supply. From just 51,000 rooms nationwide in 1996, Vietnam is now home to almost 650,000 rooms of which 130,000 were built in three short years from 2016 to 2018. The luxury segment has been a standout contributor FEATURES