Quang Nam province has welcomed 672,000 tourists, including 216,000 foreign visitors, since the beginning of the year, according to the provincial People's Committee.

The figure shows a year-on-year increase of 6 percent, the committee said, adding that the tourism sector posted a revenue of VND118 billion (US$7.4 million) between January and the end of April, a 26.3 percent year-on-year rise.

Located in the central region, Quang Nam is endowed with tourism potential.

In an attempt to further boost its tourism development, the province has spared no effort in preserving its historical and cultural sites, including Hoi An ancient town and My Son sanctuary, two world cultural heritage sites recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1999.

The local infrastructure with a road and railway network linking the provincial capital to such large-scale industrial zones (IZ) as Chu Lai and Dzung Quat, also plays a crucial role in bolstering the province’s tourism development.

The province currently has 80 hotels and five high quality resort sites.

Quang Nam hopes to welcome 2,6 million holidaymakers by 2010 with estimated earnings of VND2.5 trillion.