Foreign tourists are seen at Ponagar Tower in Nha Trang city, the coastal province of Khánh Hòa. In the upcoming periods, there are many policies for foreign tourists to help develop tourism after the COVID-19 outbreak. — VNA/VNS Photo Tiên Minh

HÀ NỘI — The national tourism sector is looking at ways to rebound in the second quarter of the year with strategies to promote growth after the COVID-19 epidemic subsides.

To revive the industry after a gloomy period, the Việt Nam Tourism Association (VITA) has established an alliance of stakeholders, experts and enterprises to develop the national tourism industry.

The launch ceremony of the alliance and the signing of an MoU was held yesterday in Hà Nội.

The COVID-19 epidemic has impacted the development of tourism in many countries, including Việt Nam. In the past two months, the room occupancy rate at hotels and resorts nationwide had fallen 20-50 per cent in comparison with the same period last year, according to Vũ Thế Bình, vice chairman of the VITA.

The number of tourists to leading destinations such as Hà Nội, HCM City and Hạ Long Bay at the start of the year dropped 50 per cent, he said.

“The number of international tourists forecast to visit Việt Nam will fall 60 per cent in March as many tours have been cancelled,” said Bình.

Bình told Việt Nam News that a strategy was needed to revive the tourism industry and improve quality.

“We are aware that we can’t stand still to wait until the end of the epidemic and for tourists to come back. We should take the initiative to deal with these difficulties now and prepare for the development of the national tourism industry,” he said.

The VITA had issued a programme to promote national tourism in 2020 and established an alliance of tourism workers to complete the mission.

“In the short term, we will try to gradually revive the tourism sector and help staff who have been affected by the epidemic, while promoting areas that are clear from the deadly virus.”

“In the long term, we want to build a plan to deal with the epidemic and other issues while supporting local authorities and enterprises to exploit their travel potential,” Bình added.

Phùng Quang Thắng, director of Hanoitourist Company, a member of the alliance Steering Committee, said enterprises were eager to join the alliance and commit to working with partners to overcome these obstacles.

“It’s time to join hands to fight common difficulties. From now on, we will enhance training for staff, plan new products and focus on promoting virus-clear destinations. When the epidemic ends, we will kick-start for a breakthrough development,” Thắng said.

On the same day, leaders of the tourism industries in Bình Định, Phú Yên, Gia Lai and Đắk Lắk introduced their products at the ceremony. Their localities have huge potential and no cases of the virus have reported there. 

Nguyễn Văn Dũng, director of the Bình Định Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, revealed that more direct flights to Moscow would open in the next quarter because Quy Nhơn was a popular destination for Russian tourists thanks to its beautiful beaches.

“Bình Định is the gateway to destinations in the coastal region and Central Highlands,” said Dũng.

“Currently, we have charter flights to South Korea. We will co-operate with Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines to reduce the cost for tourists.”

“We will enhance co-operation with members of the alliance to provide more attractive and safe options for travellers.” — VNS