Tapping into the Indian tourist market.

Việt Nam•09/08/2024

Over the years, along with the recovery of traditional international tourist markets such as South Korea, China, Taiwan (China), Japan, the US, and Europe, Vietnam's tourism industry in general, and Quang Ninh in particular, has focused on developing and expanding tourism markets to potential countries that have not been extensively exploited, such as India and Islamic countries. With over 1.4 billion people and a rapidly increasing demand for overseas travel, India is becoming a target market for the tourism industry.

According to statistics from the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, before the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Indian tourists visiting Vietnam was only 169,000 (in 2019). By 2023, this number had reached 392,000, an increase of 231% compared to 2019. In the first six months of 2024 alone, Vietnam welcomed 231,000 Indian tourists, an increase of 164% compared to the same period in 2023. India has become one of the top 10 largest international tourist source markets for Vietnam.

Travel companies and agencies believe that Vietnam possesses all the strengths to strongly attract tourists from India. The distance between Vietnam and India is not too great, and there are many direct flights connecting the two countries, making travel very convenient. Furthermore, Indian tourists show great interest in Vietnam due to its many beautiful landscapes, unique culture and cuisine , and competitive travel costs compared to other countries in the region.

Leaders of the Department of Tourism presented flowers to welcome the Indian Famtrip delegation to Ha Long.

Quang Ninh , with its many unique scenic spots, especially Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Yen Tu Scenic Area, etc., along with its unique culture and diverse cuisine, has, in recent years, besides restoring traditional international tourist markets, also identified India as an emerging market with great potential to be exploited.

With the support and assistance of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, Quang Ninh's tourism industry has intensified its efforts to promote tourism in this large market through various channels, both direct and indirect, expanding its market access methods.

Similar to 2022, immediately after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, Quang Ninh implemented many promotional solutions to reconnect with traditional international tourist markets. Quang Ninh's tourism sector is now targeting new, promising markets such as India. Quang Ninh welcomed a group of over 200 Indian tourists who visited, relaxed, and experienced the landscapes of the World Heritage Site and natural wonder, Ha Long Bay. Following this, Quang Ninh welcomed a survey team comprising leading Indian travel agencies, airlines, and media outlets to experience firsthand the resort products in Ha Long Bay. This was the first survey team from India to explore destinations and tourism services in Quang Ninh since the pandemic. In addition, Quang Ninh's destinations have also welcomed many groups of Indian billionaires who visited, experienced, and held wedding ceremonies there.

Thanks to tour groups and tourists visiting Quang Ninh after the pandemic, destinations in Ha Long Bay have spread to Indian tourists, thereby shaping the market and developing products and tours to bring visitors to Quang Ninh.

One positive sign is that from August 29th to September 3rd, Quang Ninh is expected to welcome a group of approximately 6,000 Indian tourists to visit Ha Long. This group belongs to the high-spending segment and is one of the largest Indian tourist groups to visit Ha Long to date. It is also expected to create a media effect, widely promoting the image of Ha Long - Quang Ninh as an attractive and friendly tourist destination, laying the groundwork for larger groups of high-spending tourists from India to visit Quang Ninh in the future.

To make the best impression on the Indian tourist delegation, relevant departments, agencies, units, and businesses have arranged reception plans, transportation, traffic management, security, and traffic safety, especially ensuring quality service, creating a favorable and positive impression, and meeting the specific requirements of the delegation.

Quang Ninh province has identified the Indian market as one of its potential international tourist markets, focusing on promoting and exploiting it. To attract tourists from this market of over 1.4 billion people, the tourism industry and tourism service businesses have been striving to ensure the best and most satisfying services for Indian tourists.

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