Foreign tourists in Đà Lạt in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng. — VNS Photo Thu Hằng

HCM CITY —Tourism and hospitality companies are co-ordinating efforts to roll out stimulus packages to boost domestic tourism amid a decline in business caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

More than 50 travel firms and more than 40 cities and provinces have joined the stimulus campaign launched by the HCM City Tourism Association last week.

More than 50 travel firms and hotels in the central coastal city of Nha Trang have agreed to reduce tour prices by 30-40 per cent and room rents by 50 per cent, Hoàng Văn Vinh, chairman of the Nha Trang- Khánh Hòa Tourism Association, said.

Lê Quốc Trung, deputy general director of the Saigon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company, said the company would join the campaign and offer a discount of 40 per cent on rail fares throughout this year.

Vietnam Airlines has agreed to reduce fares by 30-60 per cent on most routes for travel companies participating in the campaign.

Vietjet Air, Jetstar Pacific Airlines and Bamboo Airways will offer discounts of 50 per cent.

Nguyễn Ngọc Tấn, general director of Saco Travel, said his company would offer a 40 per cent discount on all domestic tours.

Nguyễn Thị Khánh, deputy director of the association, said a number of tour packages by road and by air would be available at 15-18 per cent and 22 per cent discounts respectively as a result of the reduction in fares and room rates.

In the coming weeks, more companies are expected to participate in the campaign, raising the discounts on tour prices to at least 30 per cent, she said.

It is essential to focus on the domestic market to revive the tourism sector, which has been badly disrupted as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, she said.

The Việt Nam Administration of Tourism on Tuesday (Feb 25) urged tourism management agencies, tourism associations and businesses in the industry to join its domestic and international stimulus campaigns.

The domestic campaign will take place nation-wide from March to August with a focus on summer tours. The international campaign will begin in April and run until the end of the year, with a focus on Southeast Asia, India, Russia, Australia and Europe.

The Việt Nam Administration of Tourism is carrying out marketing and promotional activities to underline Việt Nam's reputation as a safe travel destination, hoping to speed up the recovery.

The Việt Nam Tourism Association last week created an alliance of tourism industry players in an attempt to revive domestic travel by providing promotions and improving tours.  — VNS