Being peak season, summer is the time for tourism enterprises of Vietnam to launch their unique products to attract tourists. However, given the current context of economic difficulties and consumers tightening expenditures, low and medium-priced tours are of interest to many.
Domestic and international tours both appealing to tourists
In fact, despite the trend of cost cutting, tourism demand is still relatively high since it has become an entrenched habit. Economic difficulties do not drive people’s travel demand down. Rather, instead of choosing luxury tours, reasonable, cost-saving tours are very popular this year. Domestic tourism companies predict that the domestic market will witness good progress this summer. According to statistics, Saigontourist sees an increase of 10 percent in the number of tourists buying tours for May and June against the corresponding period last year. This positive sign appears right after Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association’s implementation of the programme to boost domestic demand via efforts to collaborate to reduce price among travel enterprises who are members of the association. Statistics of Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism also show the city welcoming 1,082,143 visitors during the first five months of 2012, up by 11 percent compared to the same period of the previous year and reaching 42 percent of the 2012 year plan. Of the above figure, the number of domestic tourists is estimated to be 768,729, up by 8 percent against 2011. Domestic tourists still generate significant turnover for the tourism sector of Da Nang.
In addition, tourism enterprises have offered a lot of domestic tours at medium prices to attract tourists. Vietrantour is among such enterprises. The company has designed such interesting beach tours as Ho Chi Minh City – Mui Ne or Saigon – Vung Tau at VND7,290,000 (US$350), or Hanoi – Phu Yen – Nha Trang at VND7,590,000 (US$360).
Not only domestic tours, but also cheap international tours also draw attention from a lot of customers. Favoured and inexpensive destinations include Myanmar, Thailand and South Korea. In spite of recent flooding, Thailand still ranks third among the cheapest tourist destinations, after Sri Lanka and Mexico. With a price cut of three million dong (US$142), Viettravel – Hanoi Branch has launched a cheap tour package to South Korea. Accordingly, Viettravel Hanoi is currently offering two promotional products, namely Seoul-Nami-Everland at VND 17,850,000 (US$850) for 05 days and 04 nights and Busan-Gyeongju-Seoul-Nami at VND 19,530,000 (US$930) for 06 days and 05 nights. These tours are scheduled for May, June, July and August.
Promotion and collaboration
Similar to other tourism seasons, this year, promotional and cost-cutting programmes are launched by tourism enterprises to attract tourists. The “Tourism connection for special price” programme designed for groups of at least six of Saigontourist can be named as a typical example.
Some other tourism companies also introduce promotion programmes for summer 2012, with discount rates of 35 percent for some tours. Tours from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi or Hue to Phu Quoc Island have price reduction up to 42-48 percent. Other tourism enterprises in Hanoi are also conducting tourism demand stimulus programmes via strong price cuts.
When looking for cheap tours, booking tickets and hotels online is an option for many tourists. Hunting for cheap tours, rooms at hotels and resorts via vouchers and coupons is now quite popular in Vietnam. A lot of tourists can purchase domestic and international tours at a discount rate of 30-40 percent and even 60-70 percent.
In addition to launching cheap promotional programmes, tourism enterprises also enhance cooperation with suppliers and localities to guarantee safety and minimize cost. Many tour operators collaborate with airlines and hotels to introduce attractive tours. Tour operators and tourists both benefit from this collaboration method.
Accordingly, travel enterprises and suppliers of transportation, accommodation, food and entertainment, enter cooperation contracts to offer promotional programmes. Airlines, restaurants and hotels also offer support in terms of pricing policy in order to ensure price and quality. This is in line with customers’ trend to opt for cost-saving tourism products given the current context of economic difficulties.
Thu Ha
Vietnamese
