What can we do to attract international tourists back?

The tourism industry is showing positive signs, with over 3 million international visitors nationwide in the first two months of the year, demonstrating the effectiveness of favorable visa policies, tourism stimulus programs, and the efforts of local authorities. However, achieving the target of 17-18 million international visitors this year, nearly double the number in 2023, requires more groundbreaking solutions and a more systematic strategy.

Strengthen promotion and marketing efforts.

According to a reporter from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, in recent times, not only localities but also businesses have been stepping up their tourism promotion and marketing activities. At the ITB Berlin 2024 International Tourism Fair (Germany), which took place from March 5th to 7th, Saigontourist Group implemented many programs to promote Vietnamese tourism, aiming to attract European tourists in general, and the German market in particular. For decades, Europe and Germany have always been important international tourist markets for Vietnam's tourism industry as well as for Saigontourist Group.

The Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2024 is one of the events promoting the city's tourism to domestic and international visitors. Photo: BINH AN

The ITB Berlin international trade fair has a significant impact on the global travel experience, attracting around 180,000 visitors and 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries and territories who come to network and negotiate with each other.

Mr. Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of Saigontourist Group, said that by participating in ITB Berlin 2024, the corporation had carried out a series of activities to promote and market the image of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam, introducing the group's attractive tourism products and services to its target customer group. "Saigontourist Group also focused on expanding its market and exploring new cooperation opportunities through meetings, working sessions, exchanges, and signing agreements with international tourism partners at the fair," Mr. Binh said.

On the local side, Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said that this year, Ho Chi Minh City will have 8 domestic tourism promotion programs and 6 international tourism promotion programs.

The city's tourism industry is entering a period of accelerated growth. Alongside efforts to improve the quality of annual domestic events, the Department of Tourism has identified that overseas promotional activities need more in-depth and professional investment. These overseas promotion programs will serve as a bridge to help tourism businesses connect with reputable international partners.

In the list of target markets for intensified promotion and marketing, Ho Chi Minh City will focus on markets such as the UK, Germany, the US, Singapore, and Australia, with the expectation of welcoming 6 million international tourists and 38 million domestic tourists for the whole year.

We must bring customers in and keep them coming back.

Besides promoting tourism to attract visitors, tourism experts emphasize the need to upgrade products and services to retain tourists and encourage them to spend more, especially given the intense competition Vietnam faces from regional destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

For example, Thailand recently announced at the ITE Berlin 2024 international tourism fair that its tourism industry aims to attract 40 million foreign tourists this year and expects to generate over $65 billion in revenue.

Meanwhile, Vietnam's tourism industry, despite only aiming to welcome around 17-18 million international visitors this year, is considered a challenge compared to the target of approximately 8.5 million visitors in 2023.

Speaking with a reporter from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, Mr. Phan Xuan Anh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viet Travel Company, stated that to attract more international tourists to Vietnam, in addition to beautiful beaches and scenery, investment in developing new tours and routes is necessary. In these, local culture must be the main element, alongside modernity and in line with current trends.

According to Mr. Phan Xuan Anh, European and American tourists often come to Vietnam to learn about the traditions, history, customs, and local cultural identity; to explore traditional craft villages throughout the country, from mat making to fishing net weaving…

"Therefore, to diversify tourism products to attract European and American tourists, it is necessary to base them on local culture, local customs, traditional crafts, folk art, etc. In addition, it is also necessary to diversify tourist markets from Asia to create a 'three-legged stool' for the tourism industry, ensuring international tourists come all year round," said Mr. Phan Xuan Anh.

Regarding visa policy, although Vietnam has now reinstated its relaxed visa policy as before COVID-19, businesses continue to propose expanding it to include more key markets with high-spending tourists and those who stay for extended periods.

Mr. Nguyen Khoa Luan, Director of Viet Hop on - Hop off Vietnam, suggested that there should be a visa exemption policy allowing multiple entries and exits to tourists so that they feel comfortable visiting and returning. This is because many international tourists come to Vietnam for tourism and then continue on to Cambodia, Thailand, etc., before returning to Vietnam.

Proposal to reduce immigration and customs clearance times at Tan Son Nhat Airport.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has just released a report on the implementation of the conclusions of Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong at a working session on activities related to Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Accordingly, the Department of Tourism stated that it had received feedback from international organizations, large tourism businesses, and international investors regarding difficulties and long waiting times when arriving at and departing from Tan Son Nhat Airport, especially in the immigration area, even when using business class services.

The units suggested improving the efficiency of immigration counters at airports, creating dedicated immigration lanes for business travelers, and considering the possibility of charging a service fee for priority processing to offer travelers an alternative option.

The units also proposed applying Industry 4.0 technology in immigration and visa issuance processes at border gates and boarding procedures to reduce waiting times for tourists.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/lam-gi-de-keo-khach-quoc-te-tro-lai-196240311205848549.htm