Increased local demand for long-haul tours

More local people are buying outbound tours to long-haul destinations such as the U.S. and Europe this summer.
Tour operators have reported a strong growth for the segment despite the economic downturn and tour prices being increased.
HCMC’s tour operators told the Daily that outbound tourists to the U.S. and Europe are up 30% with some companies saying the growth rate is estimated at 50% in the summer season.
However, the growth rate for markets in ASEAN countries, which attract a big number of local tourists, is normal compared to last summer with tourist numbers to China decreasing.
Nguyen The Khai, director of Perfect Tour Travel Co Ltd, said from May to July, the company has eight groups per month, with each group totaling nearly 40 tourists, compared to four groups per month in the same period last year.
The tour price to the U.S. increased more than 10% because of the higher airfare with the 10-day tour costing around US$3,500 per person.
“Tourists to the U.S are normally up in the summer but we are very surprised about the strong growth. Around 60% of tourists are families who combine their travel with surveying an American education institution for their children,” he said.
Luu Dinh Phuc, director of Viettours, said tours to the U.S. have increased, while tours to Europe are up 40 to 50% year-on-year. Guests from companies make up 90% of Viettours’ travelers.
“Some companies are cutting down expensive tours for their staff but many cigarette, drug, oil and gas companies still purchase such tours for employees and VIP customers,” he said.
Tran Doan The Duy, deputy general director of Vietravel, told the Daily that tourist numbers to expensive destinations such as the U.S., Europe and South Korea are up more than 40%.
“In the European market we had eight groups going there in June and nine groups this month which is much better than last summer. Many of the tourists are traveling with their families,” he said.
Some companies in HCMC have launched tours to new destinations like Russia in Eastern Europe. Tourists have booked up despite the expensive price.
“We have two groups going to Russia with the tour price at around VND100 million per guest,” Khai from Perfect Tour said.