Travel demand up but prices unchanged

Travel companies reported domestic air tours to popular destinations during the Christmas and New Year holidays have sold out. The demand is for Dalat, Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Binh Thuan, and Danang while preferred outbound tours are to Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.
“The tour price for Christmas holidays has not changed. It’s only increased to some destinations like Con Dao because the local service providers have increased the price,” said Nguyen Ngoc An, head of Fiditourist’s Domestic Travel Department.
The price at other companies including Saigontourist Travel Service Co., Lien Bang Travelink, and Ben Thanh Tourist is also the same.
Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing manager of Saigontourist, said she expected all domestic air tours to sell out shortly. Local people booking outbound tours have increased 17% from a year ago.
“We’re asking Vietnam Airlines for more domestic seats and seeking more seats to outbound destinations like Hong Kong and Myanmar,” she said.
Ben Thanh Tourist hasn’t had many bookings but was hopeful that would improve based on good figures for November.
Lai Huu Phuong, director of Ben Thanh Tourist Travel Service Center, said there more local travelers this year despite the U.S. dollar rising against the Vietnam dong. Normally, less people travel in October and November but the company has a record number this month with 3,000 tours sold.
He said he expected a lot of last-minute bookings.
The tour operators said more customers were choosing air tours this year.
Tu Quy Thanh, director of Lien Bang Travelink, said they could sell more tours if they had the air tickets.
Thanh said his company would sell 15% more domestic and outbound tours this holiday than last year.