High airfare prices: What does the Vietnam National Tourism Administration say?

Tuoi Tre Online conducted an interview with Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, regarding the impact of the recent stagnation in airfare prices.

Mr. Siêu believes that this is the time for many businesses to utilize "resources from innovative thinking" to diversify transportation methods and create new tourism products.

* Sir, how does the persistently high domestic airfare affect the "Vietnamese people travel in Vietnam" campaign?

- Currently, airfares are quite high, transportation costs have increased, and naturally, the cost of travel has also increased, affecting customer demand.

Previously, airfares only rose during peak seasons due to an imbalance between supply and demand. However, the current high prices will create more pressure on destinations.

Of course, when demand exceeds supply, the pressure isn't unique to the aviation sector, but if domestic flight prices are roughly the same as flights to neighboring countries, domestic tourists will have more choices.

Ông Hà Văn Siêu - Ảnh: TRƯỜNG TRUNG — Mr. Ha Van Sieu - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

* When airfares rise, what should tourists and travel businesses prepare for?

- I believe that times like these are when timely media coverage is crucial, allowing tourists to make informed travel plans, and enabling travel businesses to be more proactive...

Many factors are influencing airfare prices; however, we should recognize that "in every crisis lies an opportunity," as it also presents a good chance to explore and develop other transportation products and modes.

Domestic tourism needs to diversify the products offered to tourists, diversify destinations, and diversify transportation options.

Cục Du lịch quốc gia Việt Nam kỳ vọng sẽ có thêm nhiều sản phẩm kết nối các điểm đến bằng nhiều hình thức vận tải - Ảnh: TRƯỜNG TRUNG — The Vietnam National Tourism Administration expects to see more products connecting destinations using various modes of transportation - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

* Specifically, which tourism products can take advantage of this opportunity to develop?

- In addition to strengthening connections with transportation hubs—air, rail, river, sea, and road—to diversify services, businesses need to turn this into an opportunity to create new products and experiences.

For example, with experiential rail travel services, we have many routes with unique tourism resources.

People not only travel, but also experience things on their journey, as exemplified by the recent opening of the heritage route connecting Hue with Da Nang .

Similarly, with sea routes, instead of only developing short routes or routes to islands as is currently the case, this is also an opportunity to create more "arcs" connecting points from North to South, from Mong Cai to Ca Mau .

The appeal of sea tourism lies in its combination of experiences at sea and destinations, offering a novel tourism product. I believe this presents an opportunity for the maritime industry and for businesses to invest in large ships that can travel from North to South Vietnam.

At the same time, road tourism will also have opportunities to develop as the whole country completes its highway system. Destinations on the outskirts of cities and satellite destinations suitable for private car travel will also have many opportunities.

Năm 2023 có khoảng 5 triệu lượt người Việt ra nước ngoài du lịch - Ảnh: TRƯỜNG TRUNG — In 2023, approximately 5 million Vietnamese people traveled abroad for tourism - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

The number of Vietnamese people traveling abroad in 2023 was half that of the period before the pandemic.

At the launch of the "Enjoy Danang 2024" tourism stimulus program, Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, stated that approximately 5 million Vietnamese people traveled abroad for tourism in 2023. In contrast, around 10 million Vietnamese people traveled abroad in 2018.

Mr. Siêu assessed Da Nang as a locality with many innovative activities in tourism promotion. It is not only a bright spot in stimulating tourism demand and attracting tourists to Da Nang, but also contributes to the growth of Vietnam's tourism industry in general.

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