The new outbreak of Covid-19 in Ho Chi Minh City appears to have little impact on New Year excursions, according to Hanoi tour operators.
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Hoan Kiem lake, the heart of Hanoi. Photo: Hoang Cong Hau |
Although the latest outbreak of Covid-19 is generating fear, tour operators in the city still receive tour reservations and for which they are making plans to ensure the safety of tourists.
Director of Hanoitourist travel company Phung Quang Thang said that in recent days, customers have called the company to express concern about the pandemic situation. However, only a small number of them have canceled trips to the South and the islands of Con Dao and Phu Quoc. The number of bookings for trips to the East – Northwest remains unchanged.
“I think the Covid-19 situation is now under control, so tourists should not be confused and worried,” Thang said.
Of the same opinion, Director of VietSense Tourism Nguyen Van Tai said that the current development is not as worrisome as the second outbreak in the coastal city of Danang last July. Local authorities also teamed up with tour operators to handle detected cases quickly to avoid mass cancellation of trips.
“Currently, there has no tours to Ho Chi Minh City or a transiting through this place, so the pick-up work is not a concern. Besides, no tour has been canceled. We still go on with promotion of Tet (Lunar New Year) tours to the East-Northwest and Con Dao Island,” said Mr. Tai.
The director of the tourism company Flamingo Redtours, Nguyen Cong Hoan, also said that so far, the outbreak of the disease in Ho Chi Minh City has not created panic among tour operators. Although the booking of Tet tours has slowed down, business activities are not as “frozen” as the previous two waves of Covid-19.
“Since the situation is basically under control, tourism activities have not been greatly affected. We will update the progress of the pandenic to manage the situation proactively and not remain passive as when we faced previous pandemic waves,” said Mr. Hoan.
Currently, travel companies and local destinations have reinforced pandemic measures such as the use of masks, washing hands with antiseptic water and measuring the body temperature of tourists. Many destinations also have plans to divert visitors, avoiding the huge crowds at one point.
