In early 2022, many Vietnamese tourism businesses will welcome delegations from Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, then in the summer European and American tourists .
After it was announced that Vietnam would restore some international commercial routes from January 1, 2022, domestic tour operators immediately marketed to their partners and received positive feedback.
Ms. Doan Thi Thanh Tra, Marketing Communications Director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, said that when there was news of resumption of international flights, some of the company's partners from Europe booked tours to Vietnam during the period. period from March to May next year. "International commercial flights are a positive first step and a condition for a tour product, so we expect international arrivals to be reactivated soon," said Ms. Thanh Tra. .
Passengers are guided by medical staff to enter the sampling waiting area at Tan Son Nhat airport, May 6. Photo: Huu Khoa
Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, Deputy Director of Marketing Department of Vietravel Tourism Company, said that in early 2022 the company will welcome 4 delegations to Phu Quoc, departing from countries in the East region. South Asia. In addition, there will be other groups of visitors from neighboring markets such as Korea, Japan... After that, international tourists are expected to return to Vietnam a lot in the summer of 2022, mainly from Europe. and the US, when international routes are officially reopened and the conditions for receiving passengers are relaxed (receiving passengers from international commercial flights, having 2 vaccines, not having to be isolated...).
Opening international commercial flights is a positive move and a lifeline for tourism recovery. Because this is an important basis for companies to deploy their plans and measures to stimulate demand, as well as for international partners to include Vietnam in their destination plans in the near future.
It is expected that regular international flights with passengers to areas with a high safety factor will be carried out from the beginning of 2022, firstly Beijing/Guangzhou, Tokyo, Seoul, and Taipei (Taiwan). - China), Bangkok, Singapore, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, San Francisco/Los Angeles.
"With the epidemic control situation of Vietnam and the world, the international tourism market will have a good recovery in the near future. We believe that Vietnam will promptly welcome international delegations in the near future. We are still coordinating with major partners to adjust next year's calendar", a representative of Saigontourist shared. Before Covid-19, Saigontourist welcomed hundreds of thousands of international visitors every year and participated in more than 20 tourism fairs and road shows. The market the company targets is customers with high spending levels from Northern Europe, North America, Russia, Japan, and especially expect multi-national customers traveling by cruise ship.
Excited, but travel agencies also have certain cautions. With 80% of customers coming from abroad, Chua Me Dat Company (Oxalis Adventure), the only unit operating adventure tours to Son Doong cave (Quang Binh), also sees good signs from the opening of the road. international flight. However, Oxalis is quite cautious because the company's customers are mainly individuals, while the immediate trend is still customers traveling in groups. Therefore, Oxalis continues to focus on domestic customers and spends the best time to prepare and promote to officially welcome foreign tourists in 2023.
Vietravel's representative also said that the reopening of regular routes is a positive move. However, compared to other countries in the region such as Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia, we are lagging behind. Therefore, the company proposed that, in addition to easing policies, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should strengthen communication to international guests and act as a bridge and offer promotional policies and stimulate demand. to tourists, increasing competition with other countries in the region.
Before, when Vietnam did not make any move to reopen flights and relax isolation conditions, many international partners from Europe and the Americas canceled pre-booked tours or moved trips to Thailand and Indonesia. ... because the waiting time for Vietnam tour procedures is quite long.
The Government has agreed to a plan to restore regular international flights carrying passengers to areas with a high safety factor, starting from January 1, 2022. Photo: Giang Huy
According to Mr. Vo Huy Cuong, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, it is expected that about 180,000 - 200,000 guests will join flights to Vietnam in early 2022. This number can be doubled if conditions are created for Vietnam. overseas Vietnamese on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. It is estimated that up to half a million visitors will come to Vietnam, and the favorable pilot international tourist arrival flights are an opportunity to reopen international tourism.
Previously, from the middle of November, Vietnam has welcomed 5 charter flights to bring the first international guests back, since March 2020. General Director of the General Department of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said that the demand for tourists is high, but the number of tourists is still small because the conditions are still tight. Many tourism businesses on the list are eligible to participate in the pilot, but in fact have not received any international visitors.
