Lao Cai tourism finds it difficult to reach visitor target due to storm No. 3

According to the Lao Cai Department of Tourism, since storm No. 3 made landfall, most tourism businesses in Lao Cai have had to temporarily suspend operations and it is forecasted that by the end of September 2024, the number of visitors to Sa Pa in particular and Lao Cai in general will decrease sharply. Currently, tourists are still hesitant to travel to places with high risks of landslides and unsafety such as Lao Cai.

During the week affected by storm No. 3, the number of tourists to Lao Cai decreased by 72% compared to the previous week. The following week, the number of visitors continued to decrease by 90% compared to the week before storm No. 3. The number of domestic visitors was very low, mainly international visitors who had booked services in advance.

Lao Cai Department of Tourism and Lao Cai Tourism Association support people affected by floods. Source: Lao Cai Tourism Association

In September 2024, tourism establishments in the area generated almost no revenue, most of the tours in September were canceled, leaving only individual groups. Revenue from tourism establishments in September is expected to decrease by 80% compared to the same period in 2023, leading to many difficulties in covering operating costs such as premises rental, bank interest, employee salaries, electricity and water costs, etc.

Initial statistics related to tourism facilities in Lao Cai show that the damage is about 15 billion VND; the damage related to the postponement, cancellation of contracts and compensation for tourists is still being counted. In general, Lao Cai province has taken measures to minimize the damage to tourism businesses, and security and order are ensured. Up to now, through review, there has been no serious damage to people and property of tourism businesses and tourists in Lao Cai.

Faced with the serious impact and damage caused by storm No. 3, along with the complicated developments of natural disasters, Lao Cai tourism industry forecasts that it will be difficult to complete the annual plan targets by the end of 2024, with an expected annual reception of about 7.5 million visitors (the target for 2024 is 8.5 million visitors).

Destinations and tourist facilities in Lao Cai have opened, but the number of visitors has not recovered to the level before storm No. 3.

Efforts in the final stage of the year

In order to promptly restore tourism activities, Lao Cai Department of Tourism plans to deploy a series of solutions to restore tourism activities throughout the province in the last months of the year. In the immediate future, Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee is requested to promptly direct the handling of landslide routes, to facilitate traffic and ensure safety for tourists, especially traffic routes to key tourist destinations such as Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Y Ty, Bat Xat; at the same time, propagate and mobilize agencies, organizations, people, and businesses to unite, overcome and renew the landscape, join hands to clean up streets, tourist areas, sites, relics, accommodation establishments, cultural villages, etc. to be ready to welcome tourists back after storms and floods.

Lao Cai Department of Tourism is coordinating with press and media agencies to promote information that Lao Cai tourism industry in general and Sa Pa National Tourist Area in particular are ready to resume tourism activities, ensuring safety so that tourists know and plan to come to Lao Cai in the near future.

Many service businesses in Lao Cai have meaningful work to help people in flood-affected areas.

Lao Cai province will also adjust the time, location, and scale of some cultural and tourism events in late 2024. Among them, the "Northwest Brocade - Lao Cai Brocade Colors" Festival will be moved from Bac Ha to Sa Pa town with a suitable scale and content to attract tourists to Lao Cai after the impact of storms and floods. In addition, tourism promotion activities will continue to be implemented to attract tourists in the last months of 2024 and especially in 2025.

Lao Cai Department of Tourism coordinates with relevant units to develop more experiential tours, combining volunteering and supporting villages severely damaged by natural disasters. Develop new tourism programs such as tourism associated with volunteer activities; tourism associated with visiting areas affected by storms and floods with the theme "Where the land revives"; promote the development of MICE tourism...

It is expected that some volunteer tourism programs in Lao Cai include the tour "Discovering Sa Pa - the city in the mist combined with volunteer program" with visiting and giving gifts in Muong Hoa commune; tour to explore Bac Ha market - cruise on Chay river combined with volunteer program, helping disadvantaged students in Hoang Thu Pho or Lung Phinh commune; tour to visit spiritual tourism, community tourism in Bao Yen combined with volunteer in Nghia Do, Lang Nu (Phuc Khanh); tour to explore Muong Hum - Y Ty - Lung Po combined with volunteer, giving gifts to students in A Lu, Nam Pung... The tour organizer is conducting a field survey and will test the operation before officially welcoming guests to participate in these volunteer tours.

VOV.VN - To support and accompany relief activities and help people in flood-hit areas, many service businesses in Lao Cai have done meaningful work, contributing to spreading the spirit of mutual love and support in the community.

Source: https://vov.vn/du-lich/du-lich-lao-cai-kho-dat-muc-tieu-luong-khach-do-bao-so-3-post1122830.vov