Enhancing connectivity between tourism service providers and promoting the role of major travel companies would help the domestic tourism sector address its existing problems, a recent meeting in Hanoi heard.

Tourists in Sa Pa 

Proposals were submitted given the increasingly fierce competition between tourism service providers post-COVID-19, when they have no choice but to focus on the domestic market.

Many major players have conducted large promotional programmes, pushing smaller firms to the brink of bankruptcy.

Jointly held by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), and the Private Economic Development Research Board, delegates at the meeting suggested that localities, tourism sites, and tourism businesses join hands to develop attractive packages with good quality and reasonable prices.

Major firms should play a leading role in order to create momentum, which would contribute to restarting the domestic tourism market, Head of VNAT Nguyen Trung Khanh said.

TAB Chairman Tran Trong Kien said large companies need to commit to not offering unsafe or low-quality products or cutting prices to below cost to stymie the competition.

VNAT has also established a tourism promotion alliance with the participation of leading companies in all tourism service supply chains.

A survey conducted by the TAB found that more than 53% of respondents are ready to travel this summer now that the pandemic has been brought under control in Vietnam.

They prefer destinations that are safe from the disease and are secure, while only 20% prioritize service discounts.

Half selected short tours, while 89% said they wish to travel with families or friends.

Nearly 45% of respondents opted for online tour bookings.

Many localities have joined hands recently to develop tourism products while airlines have played an active role in launching budget tour packages, which bode well for the domestic tourism sector.