The Vietnam Tourism Association on Tuesday held a ceremony to launch the post-pandemic domestic tourism restoration programme. The programme will build safe criteria for tourism activities in different green zones.
Tourists in Hoi An
In the first nine months of this year, the tourism sector’s total revenues reached around VND136 billion (USD5.91 million), down 41.27% on-year.
According to vice chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, Vu The Binh, in the first phase of the programme, all activities need to be organised by travel firms to ensure Covid-19 prevention regulations.
Travel companies have to prepare scenarios in case tourists would be infected with Covid-19, causing tour cancellations. It is necessary for them to regulate the fees for Covid-19 testing as well as the treatments for tourists.
Binh added that one of the most difficulties in the tourism sector is the lack of staff as many of them have turned to other areas after becoming unemployed for a long time due to the pandemic. In addition, many people are still worried about the risk of Covid-19 infection, which has discouraged them from taking tours.
However, localities need to choose certain zones which are free from Covid-19 to welcome tourists again, instead of waiting for zero Covid-19 in all local areas, Binh suggested.
Cao Tri Dung, chairman of the Danang Tourism Association, said that the city has prepared enough conditions for reopening the tourism sector. Around 11,000 tourism workers have been provided with at least one shot of Covid-19 vaccine.
From mid-November, the city plans to receive local tourists first and then those from different localities.
Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Province’s Tourism Department said that the provincial tourism sector would serve local tourists from October when they are all given the first shot of Covid-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, in October, Hanoi would welcome local visitors only. After that, when the pandemic situation is better, the city would welcome those from other localities which have brought the pandemic under control.
Vuong Thi Hai Yen, deputy director of Thanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reported that the province would hold an online meeting on October 7 to announce the tourism sector’s reopening. At present, hotels in Thanh Hoa have received visitors, but operate at half capacity.
HCM City has recently piloted tours to Cu Chi and Can Gio districts. The city plans to expand tours to the neighbouring provinces such as Tay Ninh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau in the time to come.
