In the second quarter of 2003, the economy of Vietnam has faced several difficulties such as natural disasters, the war in Iraq and, particularly problematic, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). As in some other economies SARS has caused negative impacts on economic activities, especially tourism and aviation. The tourism sector makes up about 3.4% of GDP in Vietnam. In 2002, around 2.6 million foreign tourists and business arrivals were registered. In the first quarter of 2003 the figure was estimated at 712.5 thousand, an increase of 11.4% compared to the same period in 2002. However, the number of foreign tourists and business arrivals went down immediately in April because of the SARS alert. In April the number decreased about 50% and in May about 75%, compared to the same period in 2002. Most travel tours, international conferences and business arrivals were canceled and/or postponed in April and May. The occupation rate of hotels with three or more stars went down, to between 20% and 30%. Tourism industry in Viet Nam lost inbound tours from China; Chinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; and Canada as well as from other economies. The tourism industry's turnover in the first six months of 2003 was 80% of that in the same period in 2002. The SARS alert has not only caused negative impacts on the tourism industry, but also on tourism-related services such as aviation, transportation, retail trade, restaurants, and hotels.
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