Northstar

DESTINATION | VIETNAM 36 JAN-FEB 2018 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com The Summit at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a specially designed event centre with dedicated banquet service Dubbed the Silicon Valley of Vietnam for its tech sophistication, Danang attracts mega projects and new infrastructure More than meets the eye Words Catharine Nicol According to Vietnam Tourism, approximately 6.6 million travellers flew into Danang in 2017, 4.3 million of which were domestic tourists, up 11.3% year- on-year. Achieving a 19% increase over 2016, Danang smashed its target by 4.8%. Tourism revenue of US$853.96 million leaped 20.6% more than 2016's revenue, according to Vietnam Tourism. And growing numbers of visitors came from long-haul markets like the US, Europe and Australia, with emergent growth from South America. The year added flights and an expansion of the airport to a capacity of 6.5 million arrivals with Danang being the first city in Southeast Asia to bring in chatbot technology for tourism. "We expect 2018 will witness a huge tourist arrival increase, thanks to APEC 2017's success and spotlight, new direct flights from Incheon (Vietjet Air, Eastar Jet), Hong Kong ( Jestar), Busan (T'way Air), Daegu (T'way Air, Air Busan) and Osaka ( Jetstar)," says Frank Bochmann, GM, Sheraton Grand Danang Resort & Spa. The 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Week as well as the Asia Pacific Golf Summit 2017 and 20th Viet Nam Film Festival, highlighted the importance of the city and boosted infrastructure. FAST FACTS ON NUMBERS 6.6m travellers flew into Danang in 2017. 4.2m of domestic tourists 19% increase over 2016, smashing arrival target by 4.8%. Tourism revenue of US$853.96m, leaped 20.6% more than 2016's revenue 6.5m arrival capacity after expansion of airport SOURCE: VIETNAM TOURISM

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