What should tourism businesses and localities do to "pass the gate" in 2025?

2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnamese tourism if the whole industry seizes the opportunity to truly "pass the gate of heaven." In the context of unpredictable global economic fluctuations, tourism is also caught up in a state of inflation, escalating prices...

These challenges directly affect customers' spending decisions, requiring travel businesses and accommodation establishments to constantly innovate to adapt and develop sustainably.

Positive changes from tourism trends

After a period of recovery and acceleration after the pandemic, Vietnam's tourism has just experienced 2024 with many positive signals: international tourists to Vietnam reached nearly 17.5 million arrivals (up 38.9%); domestic tourists are estimated at 110 million arrivals (up 1.6%); total revenue from tourists is estimated at about 840,000 billion VND (up 23.8%).

With this achievement, Director of the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, assessed that the whole industry has many prospects in 2025. Notably, in the first two months of 2025, the number of international and domestic visitors both grew strongly by nearly 40% compared to last year.

“Signals from both international and domestic markets, prospects and changing tourist needs in a positive direction will bring a new look to the tourism industry in a more sustainable and long-term direction,” said Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, who commented that in 2025, tourism will continue to be a bright spot for Vietnam's economy.

Destinations close to nature with indigenous cultural imprints are chosen by many Vietnamese tourists in 2025. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)

Notably, domestic tourism will be the main growth driver, along with the trend of leisure and high-end experience travel; customers are not only looking for budget trips but are willing to spend more for quality services.

Recently, the tourism industry has also witnessed new trends such as: multi-generational tourism to strengthen family ties; budget tourism (tourists seek unique experiences at reasonable costs); applying technology and artificial intelligence in itinerary design and personalization of tourism to enhance the experience and convenience for tourists...

Assessing tourism trends in 2025, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Hong Long, Head of the Faculty of Tourism (University of Social Sciences and Humanities), said that tourists' experiences are becoming more profound after the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourists focus on personalized experiences instead of just sightseeing.

In particular, in multi-generational resort tourism, tourists often combine exploration with entertainment. In addition, the trend of health tourism, in-depth cultural experiences, and culinary village tourism associated with the lifestyle of indigenous people is also on the rise.

Staying in green, fresh spaces to easily experience local culture and cuisine is one of the current trends among luxury travelers. (Illustration photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)

How do businesses and localities transform?

In order to meet the diverse needs of customers during the price storm, a representative of FLC Hotels & Resorts said that this business is focusing on improving service quality, diversifying products, optimizing costs, especially focusing on personalizing experiences, integrating many utilities and applying technology in operations to bring the most complete experiences to customers...

In particular, in 2025, this enterprise has built all-inclusive product combo packages, applied flexible postponement and cancellation policies and seasonal incentives. At the same time, connected with transportation units such as airlines and railways to build product packages with preferential prices but still ensuring standard services.

Identifying that today's tourists are not only looking for accommodation, but also want a comprehensive experience from resort, cuisine, culture to entertainment, FLC representative said that the business focuses on the "all-in-one" model, fully integrating utilities in one destination, while personalizing services to suit each customer group."

Meanwhile, according to the Director of Saigontourist Hanoi Branch, Ms. Nguyen Hoai Thu, the domestic tourism trend is forecasted to increase in 2025. Therefore, Saigontourist Travel focuses on itineraries to explore and experience unique indigenous cultures as well as itineraries to discover local cuisine to elevate the Vietnamese brand on the world map.

Children often stay at community tourism spots in Ha Giang. (Illustration: Vu Ngoc Tien)

Changing tourism trends will create challenges for businesses and localities, so Mr. Pham Hong Long suggested that it is necessary to build tourism products that provide new and unique experiences at affordable prices.

According to this expert, in addition to developing their inherent tourism strengths, localities should exploit tourism in a number of other fields such as Thailand's 5F campaign including: Food, Festival, Fashion, Film and Fight./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/doanh-nghiep-du-lich-dia-phuong-lam-gi-de-vuot-vu-mon-trong-nam-2025-post1021871.vnp