Accordingly, at the awards ceremony, Vietnam was named in 4 top categories in Asia including: Asia's Leading Destination 2019, Asia's Leading Culinary Destination 2019, Asia's Leading Cultural Destination 2019, Asia's Leading Cultural City Destination 2019 - Hoi An.
This is the second consecutive year that Vietnam's tourism has achieved the title of Asia's Leading Destination. Notably, the category of First Prize - Asia's Leading Culinary Tourism Destination has also belonged to Vietnam.
At the ceremony, Director General of the General Department of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said that Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest tourism growth rate in the world.
In 2018, Vietnam welcomed 15.5 million international visitors, nearly double compared to 2015, achieving an average growth rate of nearly 30% per year; tourism contributed over 8.3% of Vietnam's GDP. In 2019, Vietnam expects to welcome 17.5 to 18 million international visitors and gradually turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector of the country.
The World Tourism Awards were born in 1993, are held annually and are considered the Oscar of the global tourism industry. The Wall Street Journal compared WTA to having the same prestige and influence as the Oscar for the tourism industry. The award is held annually to honor outstanding destinations and quality tourism service providers.
The World Travel Awards is divided into regions: Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North America, South America... to award awards. The awards of each region are then compiled and continued to be voted for the world championship held in Muscat, Oman this coming November.
