(TITC) - On 8th August, Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) coordinated with Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association to organise the National Travel Forum 2022 with the theme “Solutions to restore and develop international tourism in Vietnam”.
Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (Photo: TITC)
Speaking at the Forum, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said, the tourism industry had a striking growth in the period of 2015-2019, contributed 9.2% to GDP of the country in 2019 and gradually affirmed as the spearhead economic sector. However, since 2020, the sector has been affected severely by the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry growth indicators have all dropped significantly. To cope with the harsh wave, the supportive policies and guidelines were issued to diminish the difficulties and loss of businesses and labour force. Additionally, media campaigns have been implemented firmly on several digital platforms to promote Vietnam tourism.
By all efforts, the tourism markets has been gradually restored, especially the domestic market. The sector has witnessed tourism businesses back; and for the first 7 months of 2022, there are 71.8 million domestic arrivals, exceeding the target set by the whole industry this year. Hence, there is a limitation in the number of international visitor arrivals. The whole country welcomed 954.6 thousand international arrivals in the first 7 months of 2022, while the target to welcome 5 million international arrivals this year.
To attract international visitors to Vietnam this last quarters of 2022, refreshing tourism products with mainstream tourism product types such as sea and island tourism; cultural tourism (including culinary and heritage); ecotourism (including community tourism) and urban tourism (including MICE tourism) should be put to the focal point. Additionally, wellness and retreat tourism should receive more attention to develop fully and meet the needs of the market.
Simultaneously, localities need to focus on re-attracting tourism human resources, prioritising experienced and skillful ones; Organising training courses to ensure the quality of services, paying attention to improving competitiveness, enhancing destination attractiveness to attract international tourists back to Vietnam.
Digital transformation must be implemented vigorously within the industry to keep up with new trends of the market.
Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of VITA (Photo: TITC)
Mr. Vu The Binh, VITA’s Chairman indicated that international tourism plays a vital role in attracting foreign investment, on-site export activities and increasing foreign currency revenue for the country. Restoring and developing international tourism in Vietnam is the urgent requirement of millions of workers and thousands of service establishments throughout the country operating in the tourism industry.
Regarding the situation and trend of international tourism, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of Institute for Tourism Development Research stated that 7 international trends in Vietnam including safety factors are the most essential needs of tourism post the pandemic. Visitors will surely prefer choosing safe destinations, with good health systems, services and tourist attractions that ensure hygiene and safety regulations for pandemic prevention and control, and also tend to go to private, isolated places to limit contact with large numbers of people.
Discussion section (Photo: TITC)
The pandemic makes people recognise the importance of health and health care, therefore, wellness and retreat tourism will be the “influencer” of the World’s tourism. Fast and convenient travel to reduce contact and shorten travel time will be on the list. Additionally, outdoor travel, back to nature, and flexible travel integrated with technology are the preferences.
Regarding the solutions to restore the international tourism, Mr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of Da Nang Tourism Association indicated that to approach 70% of the visitors who seek information before travelling, effectively taking full advantage of traditional promotional and communication activities is the important matter. At the same time, gradually switching to digital transformation applications, starting with building bigdata systems and using commercial platforms to directly bring tourism products and services to customers.
Overview of the Forum (Photo: TITC)
Mr. Phung Quang Thang – Vice Chairman of Vietnam Society of Travel Agents shared that, in order to develop cultural tourism products, it needs to develop sustainable tourism products based on history, in the community, meeting the needs of visitors; strengthen connection and cooperation in product development; creative in content development, focusing on differentiating factors; always innovate the forms of discovery and authentic experience for tourists.
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