Tourism Indochina: Vietnam Tourism Remains Strong through Economic Crisis

Tourism Indochina: Vietnam Tourism Remains Strong through Economic Crisis

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-12-25:)

There has been plenty of tourism news coming out of Vietnam recently, ranging from forum announcements to arrival figures, discounts and promotions to a new visa waiver, fuel surcharge cuts and a focus on Japanese arrivals.

ASEAN Tourism Forum

The 2009 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), considered the most important event in the ASEAN tourism co-operation framework, will be held in Ha Noi from January 5 to 12.

Around 1,500 delegates from around the world will participate in the eight-day forum, themed "Towards New Heights".

Ancient Hoi An Receives 450,000 Tourists

The ancient city of Hoi An received approximately 450,000 tourists, including 320,000 foreigners in 2008.

To attract tourists during the Christmas and New Year season, the Hoi An Culture, Sport and Tourism Centre is holding a number of traditional art performances, a street festival, an ethnic cultural fair and meetings with foreigners.

Visitors can enjoy a street festival on New Year’s Eve and a cultural fair showcasing each ethnic group.

Tour Operators Slash Prices as Economic Crisis Decreases Demand

Many Vietnamese tour companies are attempting to offset the damage of the global economic crisis by offering enticing discounts and other promotions.

Cholontourist Company said it has reduced the prices of some tours by US$50-60 and is considering further reducing profit margins in order to keep regular customers.

Vietnamese tour operators said the number of groups booking their services has dropped from an average of 25 a month to two or three.

Although December-February is usually the peak tourist season for the Asia-Pacific region, the outlook thus far is not looking good.

While Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific have been offering low-cost domestic fares in recent months, international tickets to Vietnam remain high.

Vietnam Waives Visas for Russians Tourists Next Month

Russian visitors with valid passports will no longer require visas to come to Vietnam as of January 1, 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

Vietnam will be the third Southeast Asian country after Thailand and Laos to waive visas for Russian citizens visiting for tourism purposes.

For a visa waiver for stays of 15 days or less, Russian visitors must have a valid passport and a return or onward ticket.

Cathay Pacific Airways Cuts Fuel Surcharges for Long-Haul Services

Cathay Pacific Airways will significantly cut passenger fuel surcharges from US$25.1 to $13.8 for short-haul flights and from $106.7 to $64 for long-haul services in Northeast and Southeast Asia including those in Vietnam.

Viet Nam Remains Popular with Japanese tourists

Vietnam will be listed among the key destinations in Japan’s tourism promotion programme in the near future, according to the Japanese Association of Travel Agents.

Despite being in the throes of the global economic downturn, 400,000 Japanese have visited Vietnam YTD.

Vietnam Airlines said that the co-operation of Japanese travel agents and official agencies to hold cultural and tourism events will prove vital in attracting Japanese tourists to Vietnam.

Vietnam Airlines operates six direct flights from Ha Noi and HCM City to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

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