“Impressive Vietnam” launched – Hotels & Restaurants – Travel

“Impressive Vietnam” launched – Hotels & Restaurants – Travel

The Hanoi Times – Over 35 tourism companies and 60 luxury hotels nationwide have taken part in “Impressive Vietnam” January , the country’s largest promotion campaign so far. The brainchild of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the campaign aims to boost tourism in 2009 during the current global financial crisis.

This is the first time tourism companies, hotels, tourist transport services and national shopping centers have come together to offer a wide range of products, including 99 special tours throughout the country for foreign tourists from western Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Under the campaign, a discount of 50 percent will be given to package tours. The campaign will last until the end of September.

Apart from the participation of 37 tourism companies, including Saigontourist, Vietnam Travel and Hanoitourist Travel, who together make up between 70-80 percent of the market, other companies are involved. Vietnam Airlines, Minh Viet Tourist Transportation Service and ACB International Group Joint Stock Company, 61 luxury hotels and 16 shopping centers have pledged to cut the prices of air and coach travel, rooms and goods for tours.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will advertise tours and discount rates through a major advertising campaign. Useful information about tours can be accessed at http://bit.ly/2n2z1rO.

The campaign not o­nly aims to boost the number of foreign tourists, it plans to lure local travelers, too. A promotion has been designed to offer special discounts to locals who go o­n tours for Tet (Lunar New Year), International Labor Day (May 1) and Independence Day (September 2). The program will be promoted next week.

Tran Chien Thang, head the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the campaign is being launched at the right time as it coincides with ASEAN Tourism Forum 2009, which takes place in Hanoi January 5-12, with hundreds of traveling companies, hotels, international airlines and distinguished guests attending.

Vu The Binh, director of Travel Department of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, however said that the campaign will no doubt have to deal with many difficulties in the coming future. o­ne of them is the stiff competition from other countries in the region, especially Thailand.

Mr. Binh pointed out that while this is the first time so many tourism related businesses have worked together to organize discounted tours for foreign tourists, Thailand has so far been more professional in creating similar tours. Thai tourism also receives support from the government.

As a measure to help promote the campaign, Mr. Thang proposed a five percent cut of VAT o­n tourism products and services, simplify visa formalities and allow foreigners to hire and drive vehicles.

Mr Thang also suggested that cities and provinces with tourist attractions should cut entrance fees between 30-50 percent for promotional tours.

If ‘Impressive Vietnam’ works, tourism chiefs hope that it will help the sector fulfill the 2009 target of 4.5 million international tourists and offer tours to 22 million locals.

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