The European Union (EU) has granted EUR11 million for an environment and society responsible tourism (ESRT) development program in Vietnam in the 2011-2015 period. The Vietnamese government will contribute around EUR1 million to the program that will be carried out by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). The program, which is designed to step up the provision of ESRT services, thereby supporting the implementation of the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy, will focus on building policy and institutions, improving competitiveness and public-private partnership, and promoting education and vocational training. Danang is one of localities benefiting from the program. Officials of VNAT, provincial-level tourism managers, associations, civil organisations and communities are also beneficiaries. EU is one of the biggest donors of non-refundable aid for the country’s tourism industry. The ESRT program was built based on the success of another EU-funded tourism human resources development project, which was carried out from 2004 to February 2010.
(www.dvt.vn [1] May 10)
