HCMC – Last year, HCMC’s tourism sector revenue fell by nearly VND40.3 trillion as the city saw no international tourists and the number of domestic guests also plunged by over 6.5 million due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the municipal Department of Tourism, average occupancy of hotels in the city reached only 5%-10%. The rate at hotels requisitioned as quarantine facilities was some 75%.
During the social distancing months, the rate at some hotels which accommodated workers of enterprises applying the stay-at-work and one-route-two-destination modes hit over 90%.
However, these two bright spots could not help the sector as the fourth Covid wave has restricted tourists from traveling and enterprises and organizations from holding events.
In addition, among over 1,000 travel companies in the city, only 552 firms remain operational, 152 others have withdrawn from the market and the rest have yet to resume their operations after the pandemic.
The HCMC Department of Tourism will formulate a plan this year to help the tourism sector recover, with a particular focus on supporting enterprises, developing products and boosting the promotion of the city.
The department expected that the city would welcome some 3.5 million international tourists this year, up 2.2 million over 2020.
As for the domestic market, the department has worked out two scenarios. If the pandemic is brought under control, the city may welcome around 25 million visitors, surging 167% year-on-year. These tourists and international arrivals will help the city earn VND97.7 trillion.
In case the pandemic remains unpredictable, the number of domestic guests will reach 18 million, up 92% over last year. With this scenario, the city’s tourism revenue would be VND67.7 trillion.
To date, HCMC and six other localities—Binh Dinh, Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, Quang Nam and Danang—have been allowed to welcome back international tourists.
