Lao Cai tourism finds it difficult to reach its visitor target due to storm No. 3

According to the Lao Cai Department of Tourism , since the third storm hit, most tourism businesses in Lao Cai have had to temporarily suspend operations and it is forecasted that by the end of September 2024, the number of visitors to Sa Pa in particular and Lao Cai in general will decrease sharply. Currently, tourists are still hesitant to travel to places with high risks of landslides and unsafety like Lao Cai.

During the week affected by storm No. 3, the number of tourists to Lao Cai decreased by 72% compared to the previous week. The following week, the number of tourists continued to decrease by 90% compared to the week before storm No. 3, the number of domestic tourists was very small, mainly the number of international tourists who had booked services in advance.

Lao Cai Department of Tourism and Lao Cai Tourism Association support people affected by floods. Source: Lao Cai Tourism Association

In September 2024, tourism establishments in the area generated almost no revenue, most of the tours in September were canceled, leaving only individual groups. It is expected that tourism units' revenue in September will decrease by up to 80% compared to the same period in 2023, leading to many difficulties in covering operating costs such as premises rental, bank interest, employee salaries, electricity and water costs, etc.

Initial statistics related to tourism facilities in Lao Cai show that the damage is about 15 billion VND; the damage related to postponement, cancellation of contracts and compensation for tourists is still being counted. In general, Lao Cai province has taken measures to minimize the damage to tourism businesses, and security and order are guaranteed. Up to now, through review, there has been no serious damage to people and property of tourism businesses and tourists in Lao Cai.

Faced with the serious impact and damage caused by storm No. 3, along with the complicated developments of natural disasters, Lao Cai tourism industry forecasts that it will be difficult to complete the annual plan targets by the end of 2024, with an expected annual reception of about 7.5 million visitors (the target for 2024 is 8.5 million visitors).

Tourist destinations and facilities in Lao Cai have opened, but the number of visitors has not recovered to the level before storm No. 3.

Efforts in the final stage of the year

In order to promptly restore tourism activities, Lao Cai Department of Tourism plans to deploy a series of solutions to restore tourism activities across the province in the last months of the year. In the immediate future, it is recommended that Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee direct the prompt handling of landslide routes, to facilitate traffic and ensure safety for tourists, especially traffic routes to key tourist destinations such as Sa Pa, Bac Ha, Y Ty, Bat Xat; at the same time, propagate and mobilize agencies, organizations, people, and businesses to unite, overcome and renew the landscape, join hands to clean up streets, tourist areas, sites, relics, accommodation facilities, cultural villages... to be ready for all conditions to welcome tourists back after storms and floods.

Lao Cai Department of Tourism is coordinating with press and media agencies to promote information that Lao Cai tourism industry in general and Sa Pa National Tourist Area in particular are ready for tourism activities to resume, ensuring safety so that tourists know and plan to come to Lao Cai in the near future.

Many service businesses in Lao Cai have meaningful work to help people in flood-affected areas.

Lao Cai province will also adjust the time, location, and scale of organizing a number of cultural and tourism events in the final period of 2024. In particular, the "Northwest Brocade - Lao Cai Brocade Colors" Festival will be moved from Bac Ha to Sa Pa town with a suitable scale and content to attract tourists to Lao Cai after the impact of storms and floods. In addition, tourism promotion activities will continue to be implemented to attract tourists in the last months of 2024 and especially for 2025.

Lao Cai Department of Tourism coordinates with relevant units to develop more experiential tours, combining volunteering and supporting villages severely damaged by natural disasters. Develop new tourism programs such as tourism associated with volunteer activities; tourism associated with visiting areas affected by storms and floods with the theme "Where the land revives"; promote the development of MICE tourism...

It is expected that some volunteer tourism programs in Lao Cai include tours " Discovering Sa Pa - the city in the mist combined with volunteer programs" with visiting and giving gifts in Muong Hoa commune; tour to explore Bac Ha market - cruise on Chay river combined with volunteer programs, helping disadvantaged students in Hoang Thu Pho or Lung Phinh commune; tour to visit spiritual tourism, community tourism Bao Yen combined with volunteering in Nghia Do, Lang Nu (Phuc Khanh); tour to explore Muong Hum - Y Ty - Lung Po combined with volunteering, giving gifts to students in A Lu, Nam Pung... The tour organizer is conducting a field survey and will run a trial run before officially welcoming guests to participate in these volunteer tours.

VOV.VN - To support and accompany relief activities and help people in flood-affected areas, many service businesses in Lao Cai have done meaningful work, contributing to spreading the spirit of mutual love and support in the community.

Source: https://vov.vn/du-lich/du-lich-lao-cai-kho-dat-muc-tieu-luong-khach-do-bao-so-3-post1122830.vov