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| Foreign tourists visiting Thien Mu Pagoda |
Trends change a lot
As of mid-August 2024, the number of guests booking rooms for the September 2 holiday has not increased dramatically. Mr. Ho Dang Xuan Lan, Chairman of the Provincial Hotel Association and General Director of Parkview Hue Hotel, said that as of August 15, the number of guests booking rooms for the September 2 holiday has only reached about 40-50% of capacity (depending on the day). The new trend of tourists is to book rooms close to the time of travel, usually about 1 week to a few days in advance.
According to representatives of some travel agencies, because it is the end of the peak tourist season of the year, the demand for traveling during the September 2 holiday will not increase dramatically. Tourists often focus on destinations that are close and easy to travel to, both saving travel time and increasing the relaxing experience.
Ms. Duong Thi Cong Ly, Vice President of the Provincial Travel Association and Director of Vietnam Hanoi Tourism Joint Stock Company - Hue Branch shared that recently, the travel needs of tourists have changed a lot. The trend of choosing to travel by private car in the form of independent travel is increasing. The time when companies, units, and schools organize vacation and travel programs during the summer has passed; so, on the occasion of the September 2 holiday, most of the customers booking tours are associations and groups of the elderly. In addition, customers tend to experience short, inter-regional trips, such as Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An, while there are fewer customers from distant provinces and cities. Customers also prefer resort tourism. For heritage tours, many customers want to learn about and visit Kien Trung Palace.
Similar to booking accommodation, customers’ booking of tours is also quite late, close to the travel date. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thanh, Director of Dai Bang Tourism Joint Stock Company, shared that the summer tourism market for companies, businesses, and families has been bustling for many months now. Many families do not wait until the holiday to travel but have experienced previous trips. On the other hand, because after the September 2 holiday is the time to start the new school year, families also carefully calculate their travel schedules and plans. They book tours close to the date and travel nearby. Many families choose dining and resort tours that only last 1-2 days. Even when they arrive in Hue, they then book an afternoon experience tour on Tam Giang Lagoon. Even when it comes to international tours, customers also prioritize choosing tours that are nearby, in Southeast Asian countries.
Ready to welcome guests
Since the end of July, travel agencies have prepared many products for tourists to choose from for the September 2 holiday. Businesses open tours to meet customers' needs with a variety of products and types of tourism associated with the potential and strengths of Hue. Prices of these tourism products have not increased much compared to normal days.
According to representatives of some travel agencies, airfare always has a big impact on tour prices, so on the occasion of September 2 this year, businesses are trying to balance services to bring tour prices back to a balanced threshold with an increase, compared to the same period last year, of less than 10%, or even keeping the price the same as before. The agencies are also flexible in agreeing with customers to choose the means of transportation that suits the experience and saves costs in the tour price.
Mr. Thanh also said that, in response to the changing needs of customers in terms of travel trends, the business has proactively adapted, ready to provide individual services, products, and tourism services that tourists need. At the same time, it arranges appropriate human resources to meet the needs of customers who book tours at the last minute.
Regarding the accommodation system, according to Mr. Lan, hotels and resorts have all made plans and prepared the necessary conditions to welcome and serve guests; arranged rooms and service personnel as well as improved services from food and beverage to hotel experiences. Hotels also ensure fire prevention and fighting plans and other conditions according to regulations to ensure the safety of visitors.