WORLD HERITAGE ROAD (WHR) BY CAR & TRAIN A TOURISM BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

((Danang, Vietnam, November 2, 2002) - The World Heritage Road (WHR), a new tourism initiative in Central Vietnam, is now well into its second phase of development following its launch in April this year. Phase I incorporated the three provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam, and the city of Danang while Phase II will now include the other 11 provinces of Central Vietnam.

At a gathering in the luxury Furama Resort at the end of September 2003, WHR officials, WHR members and WHR partners met to discuss future strategy for this important tourism project.

Also attending this meeting was Mr. Fumiaki Gendo, Director of International Public Relations for the Historical Road of Japan - a similar concept from which the World Heritage Road draws inspiration. Both theme roads were introduced and opportunities to cooperate discussed. The meeting concluded with the decision to organize the first Global Congress of Theme Roads 2003 in Danang in September 2003. There are several hundred theme roads throughout the world and there is a strategic plan for cooperation to cross- promote these destinations.

In a meeting held at the Furama Resort on 25 September 2002, the VNAT presented the Vietnam government's plans for tourism up to 2010 and its own action plan up to 2005. Madame Vo Thi Thang, Chairwoman of the VNAT made it clear during the meeting that the WHR has its fullest support as part of its strategy to promote tourism in the country's central region.

The World Heritage Road has also launched a series of practical tourism initiatives covering areas such as beach safety, on which it is now working closely with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia to improve standards through the setting up of a lifeguard training centre in Danang.

The WHR is also cooperating with the Vietnam Tourism Training Council to train and certify hospitality staff in Vietnam. In June this year, 139 staff of the Furama Resort, Danang were awarded internationally recognized proficiency certificates. In future other tourism related businesses will be included as well as hotels and restaurants.

Paul Stoll, Secretary General of the World Heritage Road and General Manager of The Furama Resort says: "The WHR member businesses are encouraged to go through an education process which will allow them to provide the quality of facilities and services required to be a member of the World Heritage Road".
The strategic location of Danang and the growing importance of Central Vietnam to tourism has encouraged the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to initiate plans for a USD10 million academy to train personnel for the hospitality and travel industry in Danang, and counter what is becoming a critical shortage of skilled tourism workers.

The WHR will be officially introduced to the international travel industry at the annual International Travel Bourse (ITB) in Berlin in 2003. Following the launch of the VNAT-initiated national tourism campaign "Vietnam - A Destination for the New Millennium" at ITB in 2000, Vietnam has seen strong growth in tourist arrivals, making it one of Asia's most important new travel destinations. In the first 9 months of this year, Vietnam welcomed almost 2 million tourists, a figure that is expected to increase to 2.6 million by year's end. The VNAT also predicts visitor numbers in 2005 will rise to 3.5 million. Domestic tourists registered 8.1 million for the same period, up 4.7%, according to VNAT figures.

Commenting on the response to the World Heritage Road, Paul Stoll said: "I believe The World Heritage Road is contributing successfully to cooperation between the travel trade, improving our tourism product and promoting it effectively, in both domestic and overseas market places.".

The World Heritage Road launched its website in June 2002. This is continuously updated and upgraded as membership grows. In 2003, it will be available in three languages: Vietnamese, Japanese and English.

For information, contact:

Grebstad Hicks Communications, Hong Kong
Ms Lynn Grebstad
Tel: (852) 2810-0532
Fax: (852) 2525-7972
Email: mail@ghc.com.hk

World Heritage Road
Paul Stoll (Mr.) Secretary General
Tel:(84-913) 422 333
Fax: (84- 511)-847-666
Email: whrsg@dng.vnn.vn

Website: www.worldheritageroad.com

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