Vietnam should review domestic tourism potentiality, Deputy said Minister of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Tran Chien Thang, citing important roles of domestic tourism.
The number of international visitor arrivals to Vietnam declined as a result of global economic slump and complicated development of A/H1N1 flu. Does this affect much on the industry’s revenues?
In June 2009, the number of international visitor arrivals to Vietnam reached around 280,000, down 4.7 per cent from a month earlier. The international arrivals totalled 1,894,000 in the first six months of 2009, down 19.1 per cent year on year. The majority of foreign nationals were from China. In the first six months of this year, there were 228,000 visitors from mainland China, 225,000 from the United States and 203,000 from South Korea. The number of international visitor arrivals is forecast to drop 12 per cent - 15 per cent worldwide, not only Vietnam. However, the Vietnamese tourism industry may not be seriously affected by economic woes as the number of domestic visitors surge.1,894,000 in the first six months of 2009, down 19.1 per cent year on year. The majority of foreign nationals were from China. In the first six months of this year, there were 228,000 visitors from mainland China, 225,000 from the United States and 203,000 from South Korea. The number of international visitor arrivals is forecast to drop 12 per cent - 15 per cent worldwide, not only Vietnam. However, the Vietnamese tourism industry may not be seriously affected by economic woes as the number of domestic visitors surge.
Between January and June, the volume of domestic travellers rose 15 per cent year on year. Possibly, the A/H1N1 flu limited outbound tours from Vietnam and thus travellers toured the homeland instead. Remarkably, after the Impressive Vietnam Programme was initiated, more than 400 tours and all travel companies participated. 95 international travel companies and 130 hotels also took part in the programme. This has attracted a large number of domestic visitors.
During this difficult time, we know that domestic tourists are an element for growth. Does the industry review the role of domestic tourists given little priority so far or change the tourism development strategy?
I think the economic crisis is a chance for Vietnamese tourism industry to look back on their service quality for domestic visitors. In fact, the demand of Vietnamese tourists is very high. Since March, many tours were fully occupied by Vietnamese visitors.
The tourism industry has reviewed and understood the balance between domestic and international visitors. In fact, total incomes from domestic tourists make significant contributions to the tourism industry but this group of customers was not satisfactorily cared. I think domestic customers need special care for the time being.
When foreign visitor arrivals declined, many travel firms unhealthily slashed prices to attract visitors. What do you think about this?
I affirmed that several companies tried to “dump” service prices and they are waiting for treatment from State authorities. We know that when tourism companies provide cheap services, the quality will accordingly get lower. They are clearly blemishing the image of Vietnamese tourism industry. However, we lack sanctions on “dumping” and unhealthy competition to deal with the situation. At present, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is coordinating with competent agencies and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to seek solutions to “dumping” and unhealthy competition in tourism industry.
Thu Huyen
Vietnamese
