Illustative image (Photo: VNA)Southern travel agencies are offering a wide range of tours to various destinations, mostly located in “green” zones in which the COVID-19 is well controlled, and those providing lots of natural open spaces and distinctive cultural experiences.
Short-day trips around Ho Chi Minh City and in the southeastern region and Mekong Delta, which are in close distance, are gaining popularity, according to the southern tour operators. Tours to historic sites in HCM City, such as Cu Chi, Binh Chanh and Lang Le-Bau Co, are the most preferred by tourists so far.
To revive tourism, local authorities and enterprises have shaken hands to develop and promote tours to various destinations in the city on the occasion of the New Year 2022 and Tet holiday, said Phan Thi Thang, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee. The effort aims to give vacationers brand-new and exciting experiences and enhance its reputation as a safe and lively destination, she said.
Nguyen Xuan Phuong, from HCM City’s Go Vap district, said she is looking for a short-day tour to a destination around the city during the Tet holiday for her multigenerational family. After months of social distancing, her family wants to explore places that are virus-free and close to nature to let off some steam, according to Phuong.
To make customers feel safe when travelling, many tour operators have announced strengthened COVID-19 preventive rules. According to Vietravel, the company has had all their staff fully vaccinated against the virus and provided them with protective equipment.
Its tour guides are required to test for COVID-19 while vehicles are disinfected before and after serving visitors. It has also set higher food hygiene standards and incorporated COVID-19-related benefits into travel insurance offered to clients.
There are major changes in tourist behaviour after the COVID-19 broke out, said Assoc. Prof. Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, Director of Hoa Sen University. Price is no longer the primary concern among holidaymakers today. They are now more concerned about COVID-19 safety, the attractiveness of the tourism products, and customer care services, she explained.
To lure more visitors, firms need to select suitable destinations and provide more experience to their tours, she suggested, adding that they must also strictly observe virus control rules without making tourists feel uncomfortable./.
VNA
