Visitors to Vietnam International Tourism Fair 2019 (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+) Hanoi (VNA) - MICE, a type of tourism combining meetings, incentives, conferences and events, is evaluated as a solution to revitalise the domestic tourism market in 2021 after the whole industry was hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020.
In the past 5 years, MICE tourism in Vietnam has developed rapidly, making the country become a new MICE tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, in 2020, COVID-19 had brought all face-to-face meetings to a halt and digital technology has completely changed MICE products. Entering the “new normal” in 2021 when the epidemic is well controlled in the country, MICE tourism is expected to soon recover.
Regarding the issue, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research under the Vietnam Administration of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism granted VietnamPlus an interview.
Reporter: In previous years, MICE tourism was one of the products that helped bring about the biggest revenue for the smokeless industry. In 2021 as the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to be put under control, what are your assessments on the industry’s recovery?
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: In 2020, we have witnessed the tourism industry being deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which MICE tourism also suffered heavy losses.
According to forecasts by international organisations, tourism including MICE will become the most resilient economic sector if the pandemic is controlled.
In 2021, the epidemic is likely to continue being complicated in the world, making it difficult to organise international events in Vietnam. But with the epidemic being under control in the country, we can completely recover and expand the development of MICE tourism, thereby turning Vietnam into a perfect MICE destination.
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research under the Vietnam Administration of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+) Reporter: In previous years, MICE tourism was one of the products that helped bring about the biggest revenue for the smokeless industry. In 2021 as the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to be put under control, what are your assessments on the industry’s recovery?
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: In 2020, we have witnessed the tourism industry being deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which MICE tourism also suffered heavy losses.
According to forecasts by international organisations, tourism including MICE will become the most resilient economic sector if the pandemic is controlled.
In 2021, the epidemic is likely to continue being complicated in the world, making it difficult to organise international events in Vietnam. But with the epidemic being under control in the country, we can completely recover and expand the development of MICE tourism, thereby turning Vietnam into a perfect MICE destination.
Reporter: So what are needed to prepare for recovering MICE tourism in the coming time?
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: Over the past five years, thanks to modern infrastructure and technical facilities, Vietnam's MICE tourism industry has developed quite rapidly.
Despite the great demand, potential for Vietnam's MICE tourism development has not been fully tapped. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to invest in infrastructure and accommodations such as 5-star hotels, 5-star conference centers to attract guests, making MICE become the main driving force of Vietnam's tourism in accordance with the tourism development strategy by 2030.
The second very important factor is human resources. In fact, it takes a lot of time to train professional tourism workers, especially MICE tourism. If they are allowed to move to other industries due to the epidemic, the sector is likely to face labour shortage. I think this needs a macro-level solution from the Government to support the industry.
Visitors come to Ninh Binh before the pandemic hits the nation. (Photo: Vietnam+) Thirdly, it is necessary to create quality, diversified, different and especially attractive MICE tourism products to attract tourists and improve competitive edges against developed markets in the world.
The MICE tourism industry alone is forecast to earn over 1.4 trillion USD by 2025. Vietnam is considered an emerging MICE tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
Last but not least, it is necessary to promote communications. When the epidemic is under control, international communication and international promotion are extremely important to build a brand image of Vietnam tourism as the leading destination of MICE tourism in the region and the world.
Reporter: What do you think about the overall picture of Vietnam's tourism in 2021?
Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: Given the current COVID-19 epidemic in many countries around the world, it is certain that opening the door to the international tourist market will be very difficult.
In this context, we need to focus on promoting the domestic market. It is necessary to invest in creating diversified products to attract domestic customers.
Despite the difficulties, it is important to improve the quality of services to lure holiday-makers. In particular, it is necessary to preserve the natural environment and ecological resources to ensure sustainable development.
I believe that if Vietnam can promote the image of green tourism, it will definitely leave an impression on international visitors as they come back.
Thank you for your sharing./.
