HCMC – Even though domestic tourism is slowly resuming while the end of Covid-19 is not in sight, the number of customers remains small and tour operators are hesitant to book services in advance.
According to local travel firms, since the end of last month, customers have been asking for information on tours. Some tours which were canceled during the Tet holiday have also been resumed.
They have organized new tours and expect the number of tourists to increase in the next two months.
Doan Thi Thanh Tra, director of Marketing and Communication at Saigontourist, said tours to Phu Quoc, Dalat, Phan Thiet and Quy Nhon were the most popular among customers.
A representative of TST Tourist said the company had arranged its first tour to Phu Quoc from February 26 to 28 after the pandemic is brought under control. In March and April, the company will organize more tours to Hanoi, Danang, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
Nguyen Minh Man, head of the Marketing and Communications Department of TST Tourist, said tourists tend to choose destinations which are away from the center of localities, have a green and airy space and offer high-quality services.
In addition, more and more resorts have cooperated with tour operators and online tourism agents to launch tourism packages at competitive prices.
According to Tu Quy Thanh, director of Lien Bang Travelink, tourists have started to go on tours. However, the company’s main customers are small groups booking tours to Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon and Phu Yen.
Meanwhile, cities have attracted guests for events and seminars on a small and medium scale.
Tran Thi Thanh Tam, CEO of the Chez Mimosa hotel chain, said the average occupancy rate of four Chez Mimosa hotels had reached 60%-70%.
The market is yet to recover completely but will be a foundation for the local tourism sector to prepare for the upcoming holidays.
Some companies have received bookings for Reunification Day, April 30, and International Labor Day, May 1, but the number of bookings remains modest due to customers’ concerns over the possible resurgence of the pandemic.
Thanh from Lien Bang Travelink said if the situation gets better, the tourism sector would recover. However, the company has not ordered as many services as it previously did, as nothing is for certain any more.
Some other companies have also ordered services for the upcoming holiday but must carefully work with hotels and air carriers to deal with possible problems in case of a resurgence of Covid-19.
The pandemic has changed customers’ habits and they no longer want to make advance payments. Travel companies, too, will not book air tickets, hotel rooms and restaurants until they know the exact number of tourists.
By Dao Loan
