With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic finally being brought under control, local travel firms in Ho Chi Minh City have deployed a range of stimulus tourism schemes aimed at revitalising the southern city’s flagging tourism sector.

Located in the heart of District 1, Notre Dame Cathedral is one
of the famous tourist attractions in HCM City 
 

According to statistics, the first two months of the year saw the average number of tourists and revenue of travel companies decreased by between 50% and 60% compared to the same period from last year.

Nguyen Huu Y Yen, General Director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, stated that the easing of social distancing measures has enabled the company to implement stimulus packages, while the online sale of tours nationwide has so far yielded positive results.

Yen noted that with the country moving to impose strict controls on its borders, the city will not be welcoming any international tourists in the near future, therefore forcing local firms to turn their focus onto maximising domestic tours with a shorter duration.

Nguyen Manh Hung, Assistant to the Director of Rex Hotel, underlined the importance of following necessary safety criteria for tourism services, saying this will help regain the trust of visitors.

Sharing the same view, Tran Hung Viet, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, evaluated the increase in visitor numbers to destinations such Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Vung Tau during the public holiday as a sign of the tourism sector’s gradual recovery.

Indeed, Viet emphasied the need to restructure the domestic market and deploy a number of joint schemes in an effort to strengthen connectivity among businesses and agencies.

He therefore advised the southern city to maintain links with travel agencies of countries in the region and the world in order to keep up to date with trends, make thorough preparations and stand ready to break into the international market once the coronavirus disease is brought under control and countries reopen their doors to tourism services.

Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the tourism sector’s recovery is based on the survival and resilience of each business, noting that a range of effective solutions have been devised aimed at supporting firm through policies such as tax breaks and the deferment of social insurance payment period.

Thuy went on to say advertisement plans have been devised to promote Ho Chi Minh City as a safe destination for tourists. HCM City has collaborated with Google to elevate its tourism image in 11 countries around the world.

“Hello Ho Chi Minh City”, a special tourism promotion campaign will soon be launched to introduce the city as a safe, friendly and attractive tourist destination, said Thuy.    

HCM City hopes that travel firms will introduce effective recovery solutions to bring the tourism sector back to its former strength, especially after all air routes resume normal operation.