Tourism promises to break through

According to the reporter of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, in the last 2 days of the weekend (8th and 9th of Tet), the coastal areas of Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, Da Nang City ... were still crowded with tourists. Before that, during the Lunar New Year, many hotels in these destinations were always fully booked.

Positive signals

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Tourism reported that international visitors to the city during the 2024 Lunar New Year are estimated at 75,000, an increase of 15.4% compared to last year's Lunar New Year. Of which, cruise ship passengers - high-end tourists from Europe, the US, Australia, Japan - and independent travelers increased. The number of visitors to tourist areas, attractions, entertainment venues... is estimated at about 1.8 million, an increase of 5.9%; revenue is estimated at VND6,550 billion, an increase of 4% over the same period last year.

During this Tet holiday, Lam Dong province recorded 280,000 tourist arrivals, including 20,000 international arrivals. 3-5 star hotels here are serving guests at 90% - 95% capacity; other types of hotels are at about 75% - 85% capacity. Da Lat city alone recorded 238,000 arrivals - an increase of nearly 61% compared to the same period last year, of which 18,000 were international visitors, more than 178,000 were overnight guests...

According to data from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, during the Lunar New Year, from February 8 to 14, the tourism industry nationwide is estimated to welcome and serve 10.5 million domestic visitors, an increase of 16.6% over the same period in 2023. Of which, about 3.5 million are overnight guests - an increase of 75% over the same period in 2023; the average room occupancy rate is estimated at about 45% - 50%.

Regarding international visitors, in the first month of 2024, the number of visitors to Vietnam reached 1.5 million, an increase of 73.6% over the same period. The number of international visitors to Vietnam during the Lunar New Year continued to increase compared to the 2024 New Year and the same period in 2023 thanks to the effect of favorable visa policies, the right direction in restructuring the tourist market and the efforts of businesses and localities.

For example, some localities have coordinated with airlines and travel agencies to welcome "first-foot" guests, creating excitement for tourists on the first day of the new year. Many tourist areas and destinations have proactively prepared unique themes and innovative tourism products combining high technology. Meanwhile, airlines have focused on improving service quality and increasing flights...

Ride on the victory

Positive signals during the Lunar New Year show that the tourism industry has bright prospects for the whole year 2024.

This year, the tourism industry has set a big target of welcoming 18 million international visitors and 110 million domestic visitors. Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said that the tourism industry has many grounds to confidently achieve this goal. Specifically, in recent times, Vietnamese tourism has been highly appreciated by international organizations and media, winning many titles at the World Travel Awards.

In addition, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also requested localities and units to prepare plans to attract international visitors - including advertising and promotion at events such as: ITB Fair in Berlin - Germany, International Tourism Fair in Korea, ASEAN - China Fair, China International Tourism Fair, World Tourism Fair...

International tourists coming to Vietnam by cruise ship - high-end tourists from Europe, America, Australia, Japan - are showing signs of increasing. Photo: BINH AN

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said that in order for the tourism industry to succeed in 2024, it is necessary to pay more attention to tourism linkages, build new, unique and representative products with advantages for each region. In addition, it is necessary to step up promotion to potential markets instead of relying on traditional markets; change the way to approach markets with high spending levels.

According to Minister Nguyen Van Hung, in recent times, we have shifted from posting information on websites and waiting for tourists to actively promote and establish tourism promotion centers in key markets. With this approach, in a short time, the tourism industry has changed as more international visitors come.

"Tourists are starting to look to markets with unique cultural elements like Vietnam to experience, explore and travel in small groups. With this approach, it is hoped that the number of international visitors will reach and exceed the set target, contributing significantly to the service industry," the Minister believes.

There is much work to be done.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietravel Tourism Company, said that to achieve the target of welcoming more than 18 million international visitors this year, marking a recovery to the level of 2019 - when the COVID-19 pandemic had not yet broken out, a specific assessment of each key market is needed.

"China, South Korea, Japan... are the main markets in the Northeast Asia region of Vietnam, but we still lack strategies and solutions for each market. We need to have clear policies and specific targets on the number of visitors for each market, from which we can plan and take immediate action to avoid being late," Mr. Ky suggested.

According to Mr. Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour Travel Company, international visitors to Vietnam have only recovered about 65% - 70% compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, countries in the region are also promoting international tourist attraction, so competition will be very fierce.

"Tourists no longer "ride horses to see flowers" like before, but want to experience more. Products and services need to be different. If they only compete with low prices, it will be difficult to attract customers to come back. In recent times, 4-5 star hotels have achieved quite stable occupancy rates and welcomed international guests better than 2-3 star hotels," Mr. Dung stated the reality.

Many businesses believe that it is time for the tourism industry to design destinations that are both Vietnamese in character and highly international, in line with the globalization trend. Ms. Ngo Huong, Deputy General Director of Sales and Marketing of Vinpearl - Vingroup Corporation, believes that Vietnam needs to invest in high-class, multi-experience destinations with creative, unique products, even becoming "must-see" destinations in Asia.

Regarding solutions, according to Ms. Huong, it is necessary to have a flexible visa exemption policy for a number of key markets in each period; seriously develop a national plan for green and sustainable tourism development; and take action to achieve the standards of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, because this is an index that is highly appreciated by international visitors.

Mr. Phan Xuan Anh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Du Ngoan Viet Company, said that the company often participates in direct biddings of cruise lines in the US and Europe to win the right to pick up passengers when the ship docks at Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Chan May, Ha Long ports...

"To attract cruise ship passengers, in addition to beautiful scenery, it is necessary to invest in building new tours and routes with indigenous cultural elements combined with modernity. Tourists come to Vietnam to learn about traditions, history, customs, cultural identity, and visit traditional craft villages. Any place that gradually loses its indigenous cultural elements will gradually become less attractive to international visitors" - Mr. Xuan Anh shared his experience.

Focus resources on promoting Vietnam destinations

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Luu, General Director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, expressed the view that it is necessary to concentrate resources to promote tourism, not to do it in a fragmented manner. In particular, it is necessary to overcome the situation of Vietnamese tourism "going ahead and falling behind" when we are currently not only behind Thailand and Malaysia but also starting to lose to Indonesia in welcoming international visitors.

"The most important thing is to promote destinations and the image of Vietnamese people to international friends. The competition now is between Vietnam's destinations and other countries in the region, not between businesses or localities," Mr. Luu commented.

Let's suggest solutions to bring international visitors back.

In 2024, Vietnam's tourism industry aims to welcome 17-18 million international visitors. However, the most important thing is not how to welcome visitors but to find solutions so that international visitors stay longer, spend more and return to Vietnam.

The Lao Dong Newspaper opened a forum "To attract international visitors to come back again and again" to record comments from experts, managers, businesses and readers.

Any comments, suggestions, and ideas for the forum, please send to email: toasoan@nld.com.vn.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/du-lich-hua-hen-but-pha-1962402182016212.htm