HÀ NỘI — Investors have pledged to invest more than VNĐ36.1 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 Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

Among the seven provinces and cities which received investment, Thừa Thiên - Huế received the largest sum, including a VNĐ2.1 trillion ecotourism zone for DTH Biển Hải Dương Huế Company Limited, a VNĐ3.7 trillion tourism and services complex for Đăng Kim Long Company Limited in the Chân Mây – Lăng Cô Economic Zone, a VNĐ4.1 trillion tourism complex in Phú Vang District from Tam Giang General Entertainment Company and VNĐ3.06 trillion in a tourism complex in Phú Lộc District at the Văn Phú Resort – Lộc Bình Company Limited.

Other major projects included TMS Global Corporation’s VNĐ4.882 trillion investment in a resort in Bố Trạch District, four projects from FLC Group worth VNĐ2.1 trillion in Quảng Ninh District, Thị Nại Ecobay Company’s VNĐ4.1 trillion Đầm Thị Nai ecotourism zone in Bình Định Province, Dubai International Investment Company’s VNĐ3 trillion hotel complex in Ninh Thuận Province, and a VNĐ2.1 trillion hi-tech agriculture park from T&T Group in Quảng 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 VNĐ110 trillion in tourism revenue, accounting for 18.7 per cent of the country’s total.— VNS