Tourism industry urged to rise to the occasion

      Businesses should put more effort into improving the competitive edge of Vietnam’s tourism industry by seizing every opportunity to rise to the occasion against the background of economic slowdown. Countries like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are already doing this to reverse the downward trend in tourism.
The success of the “Impressions of Vietnam” stimulus package depends on tourist companies’ planning capacity if they can continue to secure their market share and brand-name products.
Attracting international visitors to Vietnam
In response to the stimulus package, the Vietravel Tourism Company has organised a fact-finding mission for representatives of 12 international travel agencies coming from France, Egypt, Austria and Germany to seek out investment opportunities and access tourist destinations in Vietnam this year.
The delegation has visited many of Vietnam’s famous tourist spots including Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, HCM city and the Mekong River Delta.
Duong Mai Lan, head of development and research department at Vietravel said that her company has cut the prices of its tours by 30-50 percent such as the Hanoi-Ha Long-Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An-My Tho-HCM City tour (8 days, seven nights).
Over the next few months, Vietravel is expected to take part in trade fairs in France, Germany and Russia to highlight Vietnam’s tourist destinations to international visitors. After the launch of the “Impressions of Vietnam” programme, Vietravel has proposed developing scheme called “Gold Partner” for companies that work together to offer best prices for visitors.
Creating opportunities to increase market share
Director of Lua Viet Tourism Company, Nguyen Van My, said that travel companies should offer a 35 percent discount on their tours, as it is difficult for them to make a profit at present. Notably, the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines has reduced its airfares by 60 percent to some destinations including Hue and Da Nang in the central and northern region.
The company has also focused on improving the quality of its service and introducing new tours to Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc for students. On tours to Cambodia, the company has pledged to only charge for the cost of the tour. In addition, visitors who have not satisfied with the tours can be refunded.
Advertising and linking
Five out of nine foreign markets such as France, Western Europe, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand will benefit from the “Impressions of Vietnam” programme.
Deputy Director of the Hanoi Red Tours Company, Nguyen Cong Hoan said that his company sent a delegation to key markets in South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe to advertise their tourism products. He added that the company has also been liaising with eight northwestern provinces including Phu Tho and Yen Bai in the “Returning to the Roots” programme to promote local tourism.
Tran Huu Son, director of Lao Cai province’s department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that the local authorities and representatives from a number of tourism companies from border provinces in China will hold a seminar in March to help European visitors who visit Lao Cai, to visit China more easily.
However, Mr Son said, it is necessary to upgrade administrative procedures to be able to achieve the goal.
The programme “Impressions of Vietnam” has been running for nearly two months now. However, it is still not as effective as the Thai model. Under the direction of the Thai Tourism Administration, some sectors such as airlines, hotels, restaurants and shopping centres have worked together closely to reduce service costs and lure more visitors into Thailand.