The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued a call to localities and businesses, urging them to actively promote domestic tourism in the remaining months of the year. This directive comes in response to the ongoing global travel restrictions. Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, shared this information in an interview with Lao dong Thu do.
| Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, director general of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism |
To effectively carry out the second phase of the domestic tourism stimulus program, it is crucial to further promote the alliances formed in the previous phase between suppliers and partners. By creating appealing stimulus packages tailored to each client segment, we can better attract and engage participants. Mr. Khanh emphasized that the involvement of major companies is vital in driving travel demand on a national scale.
The aim of the tourism demand stimulus program encompasses not only promoting domestic travel among Vietnamese citizens but also extending its reach to foreigners residing in Vietnam. These individuals serve as potential ambassadors for Vietnam’s secure and appealing travel destinations in the global tourism market.
Mr. Khanh has highlighted the importance of effectively addressing any concerns from the previous period in the domestic tourism stimulus program’s phase 2. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has instructed localities to actively monitor compliance with commitments related to pricing and quality, as well as having flexible refund and change policies. Additionally, strict adherence to Covid-19 regulations and prevention measures at destinations and local businesses is also emphasized.
Despite the success of the previous period, the extended stimulus program is anticipated to encounter several challenges. One key factor is the decline in year-end travel due to the new academic year and winter season in the North, significantly impacting resort operations in Northern and Central coastal provinces.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted businesses and workers in the tourism industry, resulting in a decrease in their expenditure on travel. Moreover, the tourism business community has been heavily affected by the ongoing disease, resulting in potential repercussions for the quality of services and available resources.
| Fansipan, Lai Chau province. Photo: Vu Minh Quan |
The Optimal Solution for Tourism
The tourism industry in Vietnam is currently prioritizing the promotion of domestic travel, as the country has successfully managed to control the pandemic. With inbound tourism still restricted, efforts are being made to encourage Vietnamese travelers and expats residing in Vietnam to explore the local destinations. Additionally, attention is being given to potential outbound tourists who have shown significant year-on-year growth in spending but are currently unable to travel abroad.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is ready to assist companies in developing and promoting innovative and enticing travel products that aim to alter the perception of domestic tourists. Our goal is to shift the focus away from traditional “summer holidays” and encourage year-round travel, particularly in the northern coastal provinces.
Local businesses should consider creating “off-season” tourism offerings, such as fall sightseeing in Hanoi, winter spa experiences on Cat Ba Island, and exploration of the northwestern region and Sapa during the winter. These offerings should specifically target tourists from the south, as suggested by Khanh.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has undertaken initiatives to enhance connections among destinations, airlines, travel agencies, hotels, transportation companies, and other relevant service providers. These efforts aim to enhance service quality and provide more enticing travel packages for both domestic and international tourists.
Our industry is not only dedicated to boosting domestic demand, but also to enhancing the safe and appealing reputation of Vietnamese tourism.
“We are committed to further reorganizing the tourist market and developing innovative tourism products tailored to the preferences of travelers. Additionally, we are actively working on improving communication efforts to promote our destination as a safe, appealing choice for inbound tourists once the global pandemic situation is brought under control,” stated Mr. Khanh.
