Many travel agencies and lodging facilities have developed plans to welcome back tourists in the remainder of the year in an attempt to get the tourism industry back on track after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A number of localities across the country have begun to allow accommodation facilities to start receiving guests in order to accelerate travel recovery efforts as part of the “travel bubble” model.
Most recently, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in the south has permitted resorts to resume operation. Visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and stay in their resorts during their vacation. In addition, All hotel and resort staff must get two doses of vaccines and remain on site.
In the northern province of Vinh Phuc, all staff at Flamingo Dai Lai resort have now been inoculated and will take COVID-19 tests periodically. The resort is set to apply the “travel bubble” model that requires tourists from other cities and provinces to complete healthcare declarations, and have their health checked frequently. Moreover, visitors will be provided with food in their rooms in an effort to ensure safety.
In Hoa Binh, another tourism-driven province in northern Vietnam, Avana Retreat resort is now seeking ways to reopen as its accommodation has reached an occupancy rate of up 90% before the social distancing period. The resort is going to launch a promotional campaign for both long and short stay vacations, while ensuring health and safety for all staff and guests.
Tran Dao Duc, deputy general director of CEO Group, said safe travel could represent a lifesaver for airlines, travel agencies, and guest accommodations.
Phu Quoc island city is the first locality in Vietnam to receive foreign tourists with a vaccine passport under a pilot scheme from mid-November. It is now prioritizing vaccinating all 150,000 residents to achieve herd immunity before the pilot scheme is carried out.
Tour operators are now ready for travel recovery efforts after four waves of the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses will identify which localities can control the pandemic, resume operation, and allow their residents to travel before planning tours.
Previously, businesses had primarily focused on marine and airborne travel to stimulate tourism demand. They are now aiming for vacation trips of families, with a range of nearly 300km.
Nguyen Duy Nghia, director of VietFoot Travel company, said for the time being domestic holidaymakers represent their main consumers as opposed to international tourists in the past.
The company also plans for tours to be done by bicycles and motorbikes, their advantage is therefore to help visitors explore and satisfy their habits in sports.
The tours will provide visitors the chance to discover food in Hanoi, particularly as they will serve both domestic and international tourists once the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control, Nghia stressed.
