Having new tourism products meeting the needs of travelers in the new normal is the decisive factor for improving the competitiveness of destinations and speeding up the recovery of the sector.

Hanoi's tourism enterprises make a survey at the flower garden and rock beach of the Red River on February 19. Photo: Le Nam

Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh shared his view at a meeting with the press on February 21 about the national plan to reopen tourism from March 15 with the removal of many restrictions for international travel.

Accordingly, making joint efforts by agencies to welcome international tourists safely, scientifically, and effectively in accordance with the direction of the prime minister is the first among a host of tasks to be carried out from now to mid-March. 

“It is necessary to review relevant regulations so that tourism activities can take place normally,” he said.

After two years suffering from the damages inflicted by the pandemic, most businesses have either operated in moderation, ceased their operations, or faced labor shortages. Therefore, localities need to have policies to encourage tourism businesses to develop new products, upgrade facilities, improve services, improve manpower, and prepare for resuming activities from March 15, Khanh noted.

His administration will also continue to make proposals to extend support policies related to finance and credit for businesses and employees in the industry.

He underlined that it is necessary to reinstate the pre-pandemic visa policy, considering it a very important condition for improving the competitiveness of the destination and attracting tourists in the face that some regional countries have adopted policies to lure foreign tourists.

The tourism industry also needs to innovate communication methods, promote tours through digital platforms, e-marketing, digital transformation, ensure security and safety and protect the environment.

The given issues are the focus of the joint efforts by authorized agencies in order to have specific instructions issued before March 15 for localities and businesses for accelerating the recovery of inbound tourism.

According to Khanh, it is necessary to focus on tourists from countries where quarantine regulations for returnees are not strict or those plan to open up for international visitors and facilitate people travel abroad. In this regard, the tourism industry will design policies and strategies to lure them.

From March 15, the tourism industry will welcome visitors at all border gates who come by air, road, and sea. All localities across the country will also be open to welcome guests.

This year, the tourism industry targets to welcome 65 million visitors, including 5 million international visitors, with total revenues of about VND440 trillion (US$19.3 billion).