Solutions for the tourism industry to make a breakthrough

At the seminar “Solutions for the tourism industry to create a breakthrough” organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper on March 12, many businesses reflected that tourism business activities still face many difficulties, even though the number of visitors in general nationwide has increased rapidly again. In particular, difficulties come to both businesses welcoming international visitors and domestic tour operators.

Attending the seminar were comrades: Nguyen Trung Khanh - Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; Vu The Binh - Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association; Le Truong Hien Hoa - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism; Nguyen Thi Khanh - Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association...

In his opening speech, Director of the National Tourism Administration - Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh made some comments that the tourism industry is growing well when continuously receiving many prestigious awards, such as: Asia's Leading Destination, Asia's Leading Natural Destination, World's Leading Heritage Destination, and the quality of Vietnam's tourism is also increasingly improving.

To develop the tourism industry into a spearhead economy, the Government recently issued Directive 08/2024 assigning specific tasks to ministries and branches to develop the tourism industry with the orientation to achieve the set goal of welcoming 17-18 million international visitors and 110 million domestic visitors. According to comrade Nguyen Trung Khanh, this is a very ambitious goal and to achieve the set goals, the tourism industry has 7 key task groups. That is, the industry is completing the tourism planning for 2025-2030 with a vision to 2045, awaiting the Prime Minister's approval. When the planning is issued, the tourism industry will determine the direction for implementation; Organize linkage activities - develop green - sustainable destinations, focusing on the experience of tourists. The industry also proposes content and changes in trade promotion methods based on the following segments: community tourism, health care, rural areas, MICE (tourism combined with conferences), golf, and rail tourism.

At the same time, establish a tourism promotion office abroad - this is Vietnam's weakness compared to other countries. First, open an office in Vientiane (Laos); Develop tourism products based on potential advantages to attract domestic and foreign visitors as well as increase the rate of returning visitors, importantly, suitable products to retain visitors. Research and propose to remove obstacles for localities and tourism businesses, especially issues related to investment and taxes. Coordinate with localities to manage destinations to ensure safety for tourists. Strengthen digital transformation, develop databases to develop tourism.

Emphasizing that the tourism industry is currently facing many difficulties, Mr. Vu The Binh - Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association said: "The number of tourists is increasing quite rapidly, but compared to the potential and demand of the economy, it is still low. Moreover, the reality is that the number of tourists is increasing, but the number of tourists on tours organized by travel companies is not increasing much."

At the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky - Chairman of Vietravel Board of Directors also gave some comments and suggestions for tourists to come, stay long and come back:

"We talk a lot about visas, but in other countries, visa policies change very quickly and flexibly, serving the needs of customers. We have tried a lot but are not as flexible as other countries.

Regarding tourism connection to create products, the limitation lies in the weak and loose connection, not cheap and attractive enough to attract customers. In the future, it is recommended that the strongest units in the tourism industry sit together to support the development of foreign tourism markets, discuss specific actions to 'hit' specific markets.

Ms. Phan Thi Thuy Dung - representative of Sungroup Corporation shared that after 3 years of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and up to now, tourism businesses are still in the "deeply affected" stage due to too many difficulties. The biggest positive signal is that the number of international visitors has increased but has not reached expectations. In fact, many international visitors to Vietnam at this time still face barriers regarding visas and air routes.

"Therefore, we still earnestly hope that visa policies will continue to be improved and further loosened so that Vietnam can increase its attraction of new international tourist markets, making up for the loss of large traditional markets such as China and Russia. In the immediate future, we can consider proposing short-term visa exemptions (from 6 months to 1 year) for tourists from some potential, large-scale markets such as China and India..." , Ms. Phan Thi Thuy Dung shared.

Expressing her agreement with the opinions expressed at the seminar on solutions for the tourism industry to create a breakthrough, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association Nguyen Thi Khanh looked forward to the planning of Vietnam's tourism development because this is the basis for creating unique products. In Ho Chi Minh City, the City Party Committee, People's Committee and Department of Tourism have had cooperation programs with the whole country.

In addition, it also highlights the need to strengthen links between businesses to create unique and different products, avoiding duplication, on the basis of linking 6 Eastern provinces - Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association is also always aware of the responsibility for sustainable tourism development, updating sustainable tourism programs, saying no to plastic waste...

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/nhat-ky-vietravel/giai-phap-de-nganh-du-lich-tao-dot-pha-v15254.aspx