Lesson 1: Individual customers - potential for the tourism industry to exploit

At the end of December 2023, the Provincial People's Committee approved the report on the results of the statistical survey on tourist information in Lao Cai in 2023. The results collected from the survey with "telling" numbers outlined a picture of Lao Cai tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic, with advantages, development potential as well as issues that need to be solved in Lao Cai tourism in the coming time.

The survey results show that tourists who arrange their own trips in individual groups (not on tours) account for 66.53%, while tourists who travel on tours account for a lower percentage (33.47%). It can be seen that individual tourists are a potential group that Lao Cai tourism needs to continue to target in the coming period.

The rate of tourists who arrange their own trips in individual groups (not on tours) accounts for 66.53%.

Tourist Nguyen Thi Phuong Oanh (Hanoi) said: After the Covid-19 pandemic, my family did not choose to travel on a tour but traveled independently. Traveling by private car limits large gatherings, and the schedule is also easy to change and flexible according to the preferences of the members.

It is not difficult to see that after the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism trends have changed a lot, such as green tourism, on-site tourism, eco-tourism, healing tourism... Especially self-arranged travel in small groups has become a new favorite experience trend and this is a common trend among young people.

One of the reasons for the increase in individual group tourism comes from the characteristics of Lao Cai tourism. Currently, the route from Sa Pa connecting to the Lao Cai - Hanoi highway and the Red River Delta is much more convenient than before. Along with that, the development of information technology as well as travel applications and social networks help tourists to be proactive, easily choose and design their own trips.

Mr. Ha Van Thang, Director of Department of Tourism.

Many families choose to travel independently.

Lao Cai has the advantage of natural landscapes and cool climate, top mountains, upstream rivers, imbued with indigenous culture of 25 ethnic groups along with many unique tourism products, traditional festivals... attracting tourists in general and individual tourists in particular to Lao Cai. Community tourism products, discovery tourism, eco-tourism, festival tourism are activities that tourists are interested in.

The beautiful nature of Lao Cai attracts tourists.

In particular, Lao Cai province has Sa Pa National Tourist Area with a history of formation and development of more than 120 years; Y Ty "cloud hunting" paradise; Bac Ha white plateau famous for Bac Ha wine, Tam Hoa plum and the traditional horse racing tournament that has become a brand... These are the highlights that attract visitors to Lao Cai. In addition, Lao Cai currently has 36 tourist areas and spots. The tourist spots are not too far away, the connected transportation network creates opportunities for visitors to explore and experience many tourist spots and tourism products on one route. This is also one of the factors that makes individual groups choose Lao Cai as a destination.

Lao Cai with 25 ethnic groups and unique culture is an advantage in attracting tourists. (Photo: Ngoc Bang)

Travelers arranging their own trips in small groups has become an inevitable trend as digital transformation becomes stronger, moving towards a closer product ecosystem and interacting on social networking platforms.

Mr. Ha Van Thang, Director of the Department of Tourism said.

To continue to reach individual groups of tourists, in the coming time, Lao Cai tourism management agencies will strengthen the management of tourism activities to prevent units and individuals from organizing tourism programs for tourists without a travel license. At the same time, develop tourism products suitable for groups of tourists who arrange their own tours, such as eco-tourism and resort products; promote the application of 4.0 technology in tourism activities so that tourists can easily access and book services.

Lao Cai tourism attracts individual tourists.

At the same time, travel agencies need to innovate their approach to customers, design combos of airline tickets and hotels, or open airline ticket and hotel booking services to support tourists. In addition, they need to increase their search, survey, and launch new product sets suitable for the market to attract tourists to book tours.

Mr. Ha Van Thang, Director of the Department of Tourism, said: In the long term, Lao Cai tourism has oriented its development strategy for the period up to 2030, with a vision to 2050, with the goal of attracting tourists according to market segments, focusing on exploiting the market with high spending capacity. Segment the market according to tourism purposes and payment capacity to focus on attracting; prioritize attracting the tourist segment with high spending capacity, with pure tourism purposes, long-term stays.

It is necessary to increase promotional activities and market development to reach many customer groups.

Market development contents include: Strongly developing the domestic market, especially the markets in the Red River Delta, the Northeast Coast, the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City. Focusing on the market associated with the development of the economic corridor of Kunming - Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh. Promoting the development of the international market, attracting and strongly developing the international tourist market nearby, including Northeast Asia (Japan, Korea), Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia); increasing the exploitation of the high-end tourist market from Western Europe and Eastern Europe; at the same time expanding new markets (Middle East, India).

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/bai-1-nhom-khach-le-tiem-nang-de-nganh-du-lich-khai-thac-post385231.html