VietNamNet Bridge – After September 15, travel companies failing to re-register for their business operations as regulated will lose their licenses for outbound and inbound tours, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
A tour guide introduces Hoi An to foreign tourists in the central province of Quang Nam when they are in the ancient town. Travel firms are required to re-register their business operations; otherwise, they will lose their licenses for outbound and inbound tours – Photo: Dao Loan
VNAT said in a statement that the deadline has been extended to September 15 as suggested by many provincial departments of culture, sports and tourism as travel firms have been grappling with difficulties.
The tourism authority said travel companies should have completed the renewal of their outbound and inbound travel service licenses as stipulated Decree 180/ND-CP issued on November 14, 2013.
“Travel enterprises that do not get the licenses renewed after the date will lose their licenses for arranging international tours,” said the statement signed by Ha Van Sieu, deputy head of VNAT.
The decree requires travel firms organizing outbound tours for local tourists and inbound tours for foreigners to re-register their business operations within 12 months after the decree took effect. However, since the deadline fell on January 1 this year, many firms have not fulfilled the requirement and VNAT has extended the deadline to give them a second chance.
Under the decree, enterprises must deposit VND500 million (nearly US$23,000) at banks instead of VND250 million as previously to get licenses for outbound and inbound tours except for those firms providing inbound services only.
According to the Tourism Law, travel firms must place deposits at banks to settle cases in which they fail to fulfill their contract terms.
Over a month ago, the Travel Department under the VNAT told the Daily that around 400 travel companies nationwide had not re-applied for such licenses, with most of them headquartered in HCMC and Hanoi.
SGT
VNAT gets tough on re-registrations for int’l tour licenses Related image(s)
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