Tourism Trend of 2012

After a prosperous business season during recent Lunar New Year holiday, a lot of tourism enterprises and tourist destinations have a positive assessment that Vietnam will continue to witness high yields in the tourism sector this year.  

Perhaps in contrast to economics experts’ forecasts that the national economy will be challenged with difficulties in 2012, many believe that thanks to the long Lunar New Year holiday, the tourism industry already has a successful business season. But after the first lunar month (late February, early March), people will tighten their expenditure and the tourism sector will not witness a higher growth rate than in 2011. Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is also conservative in setting targets for 2012 as follows: to welcome 6.5 million international tourists (an increase of 8.3 percent against 2011) and to serve 32 million domestic tourists (an increase of 6.67 percent against 2011). 

 

However, Mr Vo Quoc Khang, owner of a 16-seat van in Bien Hoa, said, “Bien Hoa people now prefer travelling to going to the cinema or music performances. They will go on an excursion when having a couple of days off from work. I have a contract to pick up students during working days, but on weekends I am contracted to serve tourists. Hence, I find it necessary to get to know a number of places so that I can perform my task as a driver and tourist guide as well. This year, serving tourists can generate a good income for me.” 

 

Driver On Van Le of Phu Quoc-stationed Hoang Long taxi is also eager to forecast that the seven working months may not only make up for the five rainy months, but also generate more than needed since more flights are being scheduled to Phu Quoc. There are more express trains and ferries as well. Apart from tourists going on tours organized by travel enterprises, more and more are tourists taking self-organised tours, which will establish a good source of income for taxi drivers. The 15 cars rented to tourists for self-driving tours by Vietravel in Phu Quoc were in use 90-100 percent of the time in 2010. It is expected that more cars will be needed this year.

 

Mr Nguyen Quoc Ky, Vietravel’s General Director says that the company has requested that its partners include airlines, hotels and destinations, to sign contracts for 2012 prior to December 2011 to guarantee the best quality for tourists booking in advance. Mr Ky affirms that tourism will be the first choice for enjoyment this year.

 

In addition to mid and high income tourists, Vietravel has launched the online Travelpon service which provides tourism products low priced, self-selected and last-minute tourism products, aiming to meet the demands of tourists who do not want to wait or who have low income, while guaranteeing good times for them.

 

Saigontourist will put into operation such hotels as Saigon – Dong Ha, Saigon – Ban Me and Saigon – Rach Gia and Bac Lieu Prince’s mansion. This year, Saigontourist opens more branch offices, one of which is in Binh Duong.

 

Mr Tran Duc Thinh, Marketing Director of TST Tourist Company, said that both international and domestic tourists no longer want “watching flowers while riding on horseback” tourism. They look for holidays which increase their knowledge about life and cultural traits in the places they visit. Even more, they ask for standard services, good tour guides and new destinations. Especially, tourists’ demand for enjoying local cuisine is relatively high. Therefore, just offering promotion programmes based on existing tours will not help. This is a challenge not only for travel enterprises but also to restaurants, hotels and destinations.

 

The survey on global tourism trends in 2011 by VISA which was announced in January 2012 also reveals information similar to Mr Thinh’s comments. According to the survey, Vietnam has been listed among the most attractive destinations by Singaporean, Thai, Australian and South Korean tourists. A majority of tourists say that they are willing to spend more money in order to enjoy local food (64 percent), visit famous places and experience local culture (63 percent). A variety of food and lower tourism cost are considered major motivations attracting tourists to Vietnam in the future.