Show me the discounts, travel companies say
13:09 07/05/2009

Domestic tourism businesses are concerned about the slow start to the discounts the government announced to stimulate tourism

Travel companies are complaining that discounts announced last month as part of a tourism-stimulus plan are not yet available, Sai Gon Tiep Thi (Saigon Marketing) magazine reported.

The “Impressive Vietnam!” campaign, which promised discounts of up to 50 percent on package tours, accommodation, shopping and air and bus tickets, was to have started on January 5, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism deputy head Nguyen Manh Cuong said.

The promotion was designed to boost tourism, a sector already hit by the global economic crisis.

But, more than a month later, the discounts are not yet being offered, with many travel agents saying they cannot get commitments on discount services from local hotels, airlines and transport companies.

“I am very concerned about the lack of coordination by officials,” Young Generation Company Deputy Director Tran The Dung said.

“How will a corporation be dealt with if it fails to lower prices as committed, affecting the whole industry’s reputation?”

Domestic travel companies are focused on their own short-term profits and are reluctant to cooperate with companies in other regions, Dung said. He said air tickets to Phu Quoc Island were an example. In high season, tickets are available only through the island's travel agents, with travel agents from other regions unable to book any.

Skyrocketing prices is also making the discount program less attractive. Last summer, a three star hotel was charging US$46 a night but is now charging US$64 a night.

Vietnam's southern hub, Ho Chi Minh City, will try to lure tourists with a collection of top 10 lists.

The HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism program will compile lists of the city’s top hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, shopping venues and other activities.

The department will also promote HCMC as a travel destination to four major tourism markets - Australia, Japan, France and Western Europe.

Dung said the lack of cooperation among local providers of transportation, food and accommodation services made it impossible for travel business to offer discounts.

“The National Administration of Tourism has outlined a general plan,” Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Deputy Director La Quoc Khanh said.

“Now what matters is how local organizations carry out the program.”

Khanh said local travel companies, hotels and other businesses will form strategic partnerships to ensure prices are lowered while quality is maintained.

The partners will work together to promote their services to international tourists.

Khanh said the products must be able to compete with other popular travel destinations in the region, such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Source : vietnewsonline.vn