Vietnam ranks 89th of 133 countries and territories in tourism competitiveness, according to the World Economic Forum’s report on tourism competitiveness 2009, which was issued on March 4.

Foreign visitors go shopping at HCM City-based Ben Thanh Market.

Though Vietnam climbs by 7 grades compared to 2008 (96/130), it doesn’t move up in comparison with other Southeast Asian countries. Of eight Southeast Asian countries surveyed by the WEF (minus Laos and Myanmar), Vietnam still ranks above only Cambodia for competitiveness.

According to the report, the tourism industry brought in $3.5 billion for Vietnam in 2008 accounting for 4.3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). This non-smoke industry also created 1.5 million jobs last year.

WEF made the list based on 14 key criteria in tourism management and business, for example regulations on tourism business, the sustainability of the environment, security and safety, tourism infrastructure, price, natural resources and culture, etc.

Among these criteria, Vietnam’s advantages are price and natural resources. The prices of goods and services in Vietnam are lower than in many countries. It is also praised for having many beautiful landscapes. Vietnam ranks 23^rd in the world for the number of landscapes recognised as world heritages by UNESCO and 21^st for the total number of creatures known by scientists.

However, factors serving the development and preservation of these advantages are weak. Vietnam ranks low in criteria for transport and tourism infrastructure. The country’s road quality is 102/133, 99 grades below Singapore and 70 below Thailand. Vietnam also ranks 92^nd in quality of aviation infrastructure, 91 grades below Singapore and 64 less than Thailand.

The report shows that the environmental situation in Vietnam needs to be improved. Vietnam’s quality of natural environment is nearly at the bottom (122^nd).

Switzerland still tops the list, followed by Austria, Germany, France, and Canada. Singapore is the only Asian country in the top ten.

VietNamNet/TT