Hanoi will take the opportunity of the 2006 Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) to introduce its image to the world, an official of the municipal Tourism Service has said.

In line with this, the capital city^,s tourism sector is preparing necessary facilities and services to ensure success for the upcoming event, the official said

The sector has urged investors in hotel projects to accelerate construction to make their properties available for visitors during the sumit. An additional 600 hotel rooms are expected to be put into operation next year.

Regarding meeting places, the 4,000-seat National Conference Centre will begin operating next year, alongside the 3,500-seat international Conference Centre and 97 hotel convention halls, with a combined 6,939 seats.

The Tourism Service has so far licensed 485 cars from 80 transport businesses to serve visitors during the summit.

It has granted professional cards to 851 tourist guides and plans to grant an additional 370 cards later this year, said the official, whi add that a one-day tour has been designed particulary for visitors during the summit.

 (Source: Nhandan)