Over 100 managers and experts gathered together to participate in discussions in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on September 29 in an effort to discuss solutions aimed at restoring international tourism activities following the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

The talk focuses on solutions to resume international air routes next year
(Photo: VNA)

Participants also focused on methods aimed at restructuring major segments of the tourism industry in Khanh Hoa province, ways of reopening international air routes next year, attracting additional international tourists to the locality based through digital platforms, and the application of information technological achievements.

Representing the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Nguyen Quoc Hung said the COVID-19 epidemic has had an adverse impact on the local tourism industry, with the number of international visitors to the country during the first half of the year falling to 3.6 million, a decline of 55% in comparison to the same period last year. As a result of this steep fall in visitor numbers, tourism revenue also suffered a drop of 73% to only over VND10,000 billion.

According to statistics compiled by the provincial Department of Tourism, the province welcomed approximately 986,000 visitors, including roughly 426,000 foreign tourists, during the eight-month period, equal to 19.8% in comparison with the same period from last year.

Aside from promoting domestic tourism, the locality has also devised plans aimed at resuming international tourism activities with major markets, such as China, Russia, and the Republic of Korea, which account for more than 90% of international tourists to Khanh Hoa.

Furthermore, the province has been urged to select countries that have successfully contained the COVID-19 epidemic in an effort to accelerate promotional activities and restart the local tourism market.

Dang Manh Phuoc, CEO of Outbox Consulting Services and Destinations Management Company Limited, underlined the need to put together a set of standards containing COVID-19 epidemic prevention measures necessary for all tourism businesses and tourist sites to implement.