Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung has pointed out targets and solutions for the tourism sector to soon sail throughꦚ the COVID-19 pandemic.

The domestic market should be optimised in the new normal, the Minister said, citing the national tourism development strategy issued by the Government last year that highlights the significance of the domestic market. To that end, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched the “Vietnamese people travel Vietnam” programme. It is noteworthy that travel companies have changed their operational strategies to adapt to the new situation. The minister suggested travel firms, lodging facilities and other service suppliers revamp their operational apparatus and approach small of groups of holidaymakers. Tours exploring historical relic sites and indigenous culture should be promoted at this time, he said, urging more efforts in communications to promote tourism products. Despite the small-scale tourism, vigilance against the COVID-19 pandemic must be maintained to prevent infections among the community, Hung noted. According to the minister, the Government is considering the exemption and reduction of land use tax and electricity costs for travel firms. The ministry and the Vietnam Tourism Association are also working on support policies that will be submitted to the Government for approval. Regarding the tourism promotion programmes launched by the ministry, Hung said they have met public demand and contributed to domestic tourism growth, saying they should be rolled out on a larger scale. Airlines have sold out tickets to destinations across the country for the May Day and National Reunification Day holidays (April 30), which has reflected the high domestic tourism demand, he continued. To reap high and sustainable results, it needs special tourism products and intensified marketing campaigns, Hung stressed. Given difficulties caused by COVID-19 facing the tourism sector, he suggested State management agencies put forth tourism development plans during the 2021-2026 period. Meanwhile, travel companies should restructure, take workforce and resources management solutions, develop suitable tourism products and draw up long-term strategies for domestic tourism. Connectivity in tourism should focus on typical products, he said, urging stepping up tourism promotion and brand building. Speaking at a forum themed 'Domestic Tourism - Power Force for Recovering Vietnam's Tourism in New Normal Situation' held in Ninh Binh province on April 15, Hung said domestic tourism plays a key role in tourism at present. “It is high time for the whole sector to review the way, find new approaches, change the methods as well as thinking among tourism workers to revive the tourism market,” he said. The Vietnamese tourism sector should focus on the market of nearly 100 million Vietnamese people, who like to go on holidays as the pandemic is under control, he said. The minister suggested tourism companies introduce more products suitable for domestic customers. Vu The Binh, Vice Permanent Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said promoting domestic tourism is the lifebuoy for the whole sector. “However, domestic tourism has never been considered a main power force of the sector; as a result, it has not been properly cared for,” he said. “Tourism enterprises have not defined clearly the demands, interests and favourite products and services that Vietnamese people like, which is a weak point of the sector.” Phung Quang Thang, Chairman of the Hanoi Travel Agents Association and director of Hanoitourist, said the trend of relaxing tourism, sport tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism is among the most popular ways of travelling. Tourists tend to go in small groups, book online and use their own means of transportation, he said. Nguyen Quang Trung, head of Vietnam Airlines’ Department of Planning and Development, said customers now pay the most attention to pandemic prevention. They tend to book flights closer to the departure day, he said. Representatives shared lots of solutions to enhance the efficiency of tourism promotion activities./.