Travel JVs allowed to bring tourists abroad

Travel company joint ventures are allowed to provide outbound tours on a trial basis from August 10, 2009 to December 31, 2010.
Under the current law, foreign-invested travel firms can only take foreign tourists around Vietnam, while bringing tourists abroad is the “playing field” for domestic travel firms alone.
The permission is good news to travel agents operating in Vietnam, especially during the current economic difficulties affecting international tourism.
In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency reporter, Mr. Vu The Binh from the Department of Travel under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said joint-venture travel companies are able to offer outbound tours once they complete adjustment procedures.
The new regulation will make it easier for these firms to tap their potential markets, he added.
Director of APEX Vietnam Nguyen Van Tran said the company will provide outbound tours by the end of 2009.
Looking towards Japan as a destination, the company is targeting Japanese-invested firms in Vietnam which needs to send staff to Japan for travel or training.
Binh also said that domestic travel companies will not face severe competition as they are experienced and are operating in familiar markets. Furthermore, the destinations appealing to joint-venture firms are not the strength of local companies.
The government has also allowed hotels of four-stars and above to open entertainment services until 2 am, instead of midnight.
Statistics from travel agents show that the number of foreigners to visit Vietnam sharply decreased. In contrast, the number of local people taking inbound and outbound tours increased remarkably.