Investors have pledged to invest more than VND36.1 trillion (US$1.5 billion) into 19 tourism projects in the central and Central Highland regions.

The 19 projects received initial investment approvals at a conference for the region’s tourism development held on Saturday with the participation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Among the seven provinces and cities which received investment, Thua Thien - Hue received the largest sum, including a VND2.1 trillion ecotourism zone for DTH Bien Hai Duong Hue Company Limited, a VND3.7 trillion tourism and services complex for Dang Kim Long Company Limited in the Chan May – Lang Co Economic Zone, a VND4.1 trillion tourism complex in Phu Vang District from Tam Giang General Entertainment Company and VND3.06 trillion in a tourism complex in Phu Loc District at the Van Phu Resort – Loc Binh Company Limited.

Other major projects included TMS Global Corporation’s VND4.882 trillion investment in a resort in Bo Trach District, four projects from FLC Group worth VND2.1 trillion in Quang Ninh District, Thi Nai Ecobay Company’s VND4.1 trillion Dam Thi Nai ecotourism zone in Binh Dinh Province, Dubai International Investment Company’s VND3 trillion hotel complex in Ninh Thuan Province, and a VND2.1 trillion hi-tech agriculture park from T&T Group in Quang Nam Province.

The region has rich tourism potential given its abundant natural resources such as its beautiful beaches and magnificent grottos, and 14 UNESCO heritage titles together with developed infrastructure and connectivity.

In 2018, the region received 56 million visitors, including 9.5 million international tourists. It earned VND110 trillion in tourism revenue, accounting for 18.7 per cent of the country’s total.— VNS