Customers prefer to book rooms online and the opportunity for Vietnamese tourism to "cover" the world

(Dan Tri) - In the context of tourists tending to book travel services online, public-private cooperation is not only a strategy to cope with difficulties, but also to promote innovation and improve tourism products.

At a time when Vietnam's tourism is on the path of strong recovery with double-digit growth, public-private partnership (PPP) is not only a strategy to cope with difficulties, but also helps mobilize social resources, promote creativity and enhance the diversity of tourism products.

The trend of customers booking services through online platforms

At the recent workshop "Developing and promoting tourist destinations through public-private partnership" in Hanoi , sharing with Dan Tri reporter, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai (Deputy Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), said that tourists in Vietnam and other countries around the world tend to book tours, airline tickets and hotel rooms themselves through reputable online platforms.

"This is a challenge and pressure for tourism businesses to innovate. Travel companies cooperating with online platforms will help connect services to meet customer needs," said Ms. Hoa Mai.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai said that the trend of customers using online platforms to book travel services requires travel companies to innovate themselves (Photo: Ta Phuong).

In Vietnam's neighboring countries, online platforms have recently "covered" the tourism sector.

Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong, Head of the Department of International Relations and Tourism Promotion (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) cited that in Thailand, OTA platforms providing room booking services, airline tickets... are widely advertised at the airport in Bangkok.

"Previously, in Thailand, customers mainly booked tours through travel agencies. Now, people have switched to using online platforms. Therefore, combining the tourism industry and platforms is necessary," Mr. Phuong emphasized.

Vietnam has beautiful natural landscapes but needs to promote its image globally to increase its competitiveness (Photo: Riri Phuong Trinh).

Ms. Huynh Thi Mai Thy - Director of Traveloka Vietnam - said that tourists are shifting to booking services in the digital space. A survey of 12,000 customers in Vietnam showed that 35% of customers use OTA platforms to book travel services.

Ms. Mai Thy believes that through online platforms, localities and travel companies will have real data in hand, providing products that meet customers' needs. OTA platforms also contribute to spreading the image of Vietnam on the world tourism map.

"We can grasp data on peak tourist seasons, destination selection trends... Thanks to that, travel companies and hotels can have appropriate pricing strategies. OTAs significantly expand the ability to attract customers, allowing Vietnamese cities to reach a large number of potential tourists," said Ms. Mai Thy.

Da Nang tourism breakthrough when combined with online platform

Da Nang is considered a successful example of public-private cooperation in the tourism sector thanks to its attractive voucher program.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, Director of the Promotion Center (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang) shared that public-private cooperation to transform digitally in promoting and stimulating tourism is identified by the city as a strategic step. 80% of tourists to Da Nang book services through OTA platforms, showing a clear shift in tour booking trends compared to before.

In order to attract domestic and foreign tourists, Da Nang tourism industry has combined with online platforms to carry out the "Enjoy Danang" campaign. In 2024, the program will provide 1,800 preferential vouchers, with a total value of 900 million VND. This year, tourism companies, accommodation establishments, entertainment areas... continue to respond with 6,000 vouchers, with a total value of more than 1.3 billion VND.

"The campaign has attracted a sharp increase in the number of ticket bookings. Specifically, in May, the number of customers booking air tickets to Da Nang increased by 52% compared to April and increased by 13% compared to the same period last year. In the first 9 months of the year, Da Nang welcomed 5.8 million international visitors and 6.8 million domestic visitors (only counting guests staying)," said Ms. Tham.

In Ho Chi Minh City, in 2025, the Department of Tourism will deploy an e-voucher program with a total value of 4.5 billion VND, connecting the accommodation, culinary and healthcare ecosystems, creating a smart and user-friendly tourism model.

The city's tourism industry has set a long-term goal of integrating more specific tourism products such as MICE (a type of tourism that combines conferences, seminars, incentives and exhibitions) and healthcare.

Solutions to increase the competitiveness of Vietnam tourism

Experts say that the combination of the tourism industry and online platforms is an inevitable trend to attract tourists and widely promote the image of Vietnam as a destination around the world.

Regarding solutions to increase the competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, Director of the Promotion Center (Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang) said that online platforms can share data of foreign tourists searching for Vietnam with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. From there, the authorities will provide information to localities to build attractive tourism products.

"The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism can work with localities to build specific products with highlights based on customer needs to promote the image of Vietnam on all OTA platforms into a series of discovery stories," Ms. Tham commented.

In fact, as the number of tourists booking services through online platforms increases, many travel companies are worried about their revenue being affected.

At the event, the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between Traveloka and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism also took place (Photo: Ta Phuong).

From the perspective of a management agency, Mr. Nguyen Quy Phuong, Head of the Department of International Relations and Tourism Promotion (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) said that there is an impact on travel agencies when customers choose to book services through online platforms. However, agencies can anticipate this trend by seizing the advantage.

"No matter what form of booking customers choose, online platforms still need service providers. State agencies play a supporting and connecting role, while businesses directly implement specific plans, come up with effective marketing strategies on digital platforms, and have the opportunity to be creative to achieve the best results," Mr. Phuong said.

The Department representative affirmed that it will continue to accompany localities and businesses in product development and promotion, expecting to have more new cooperation models, contributing to building a dynamic, attractive and sustainable Vietnamese tourism industry on the regional and world map.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/khach-thich-dat-phong-truc-tuyen-va-co-hoi-du-lich-viet-phu-song-toan-cau-20251010185113811.htm