Saigontourist: Modernising to Become More Attractive

Saigontourist: Modernising to Become More Attractive

As a major tourist corporation in Ho Chi Minh City, Saigontourist is well-known at home and abroad as a reliable companion. Its products and services are diverse and of high quality and to attract more tourists the corporation has continually modernised and improved its services.

Overcoming difficulties

In the first half of 2004, Saigontourist received 642,000 tourists, 7 per cent more than the same period last year but only 44.3 per cent of the yearly plan, including 130,000 travelers, 40.8 per cent of the plan. The number of foreign tourists fell by 12.5 per cent, especially sea-faring tourists, compared to the corresponding period last year. Saigontourist Director General Nguyen Huu Tho explained that the bird flu and the price hike have affected the business efficiency of the corporation. In such conditions, Saigontourist has attempted to increase the domestic tourism with promotion programmes. As a result, domestic tourism increased 3.2 per cent (68,600 tourists) and tourists on overseas tours increased by 66.3 per cent (12,176 tourists). Hotels and restaurants received 511,750 visitors, including 290,838 foreign visitors.

Thanks to these efforts, Saigontourist has increased its turnover in business travel (11.8 per cent), restaurants (9.1 per cent) and hotels (27.9 per cent). The total turnover reached more than VND1.628 billion, 52.8 per cent of the yearly plan and 24.4 per cent more than the same period last year. However, to achieve the objectives set for the whole year, the corporation has to make greater efforts to promote its activities. In late June 2004, the corporation launched programmes such as "Saigontourist - An Impressive Green Summer," "Marketing-Quality-Efficiency-Integration," and "Saigontourist Golden Visitor." To improve the quality and efficiency of its services, Saigontourist has applied quality management and environmental programmes, sponsored by ASIA INVEST and the EU, to grant ISO 14000 certificates to 15 units in its network.

A summer with new moves

Mr Do Van Hoang, Chairman of the Management Board of Saigontourist said that tours without new novelties would bore tourists. Saigontourist will therefore speed up the construction of large projects approved by the Municipal Administration. It will also develop cooperation programmes with the provinces of Quang Binh, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Lam Dong, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and Con Dao island. The expansion of the Rex Hotel will also start this year.

As a big corporation with many units, Saigontourist will soon need to be transformed into the parental company model, with some units equitised, to increase business efficiency.

To commemorate the important events of the year, including the 29th anniversary of Saigontourist (August 1, 1975-2004), the new product "Impressive Green Summer 2004" will offer visitors an unforgettable season of high quality and reasonable prices. The programme will last until September 30, 2004. Travel companies will offer new tours, such as crossing the Truong Son range and visiting historical relics, heritage and Hue. Saigontourist will also develop tours within its network from Saigon to Phu quoc island, Con Dao island, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Madagui (Lam Dong), Nghe An and Ha Long. Both domestic and out-bound tours will be developed to meet the increasing demand of tourism, rest and recreation, especially for the Japanese market and other tours to new lands and ancient civilisations. Services, environmental protection and cooperation will be enhanced to increase business efficiency.

Hotels and tourist centres will participate in the programme "New product, new quality" to improve the quality at a reasonable prices of hotel rooms and foods at tourist and gastronomy festivals.

The units of Saigontourist will be divided into four groups to participate in the programme and the best performers will be awarded a First Prize, a Second Prize and two Third Prizes. There are also other prizes for business cooperation, efficiency, environmental protection, outstanding programmes and the best service.

• Song Phuong