HCM City (VNS/VNA) -Localities and all links in the tourism value chain need to join hands to boostdomestic tourism, which is now a priority for the struggling industry’srecovery post-pandemic, tourism experts have said.

The sector has mapped out threescenarios for its recovery this year based on reopening the country tointernational visitors in June, September or December, said Nguyen Huu Tho, Chairmanof the Vietnam Tourism Association.

Whatever the scenario, themaximum number of international tourists expected is just 4.6 million while thenumber of domestic tourists expected is around 34 million, he told a recentmeeting held in HCM City.

Last year those numbers were 18million and 82 million.

For the time being, thecountry’s borders are firmly shut, and the industry is now focused on reopeningto domestic tourism, Thọ said.

Domestic travel began torecover in mid-May with the launch of a national campaign titled “VietnamesePeople Travel in Vietnam”. 

The campaign that will rununtil the end of this year aims to boost domestic tourism with the involvementof the entire value chain across airlines, hotels and resorts, restaurants,tourist sites, travel agencies, tour operators, and tourism service providersto put in place quality tourism products and service packages at reasonableprices.

“For now the fear ofcoronavirus transmission is one of the biggest barriers to domestic tourism,”Tho said.

“It is vital to strengthenpropaganda efforts to make people feel safe about travelling domestically.”

Nguyen Tri Dung, Director ofthe HCM City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said though thecoronavirus situation is now under control and the risk of communitytransmission is very low, it is still a major concern among travellers andholiday makers.

The country is not going toopen all at once, he said.

The tourism sector shouldgradually take steps to revive domestic tourism and adhere to strict infectionprevention measures, he said.

Vo Anh Tai, Deputy General Directorof Saigontourist Group, said HCM City should step up efforts to promote itselfas a safe destination after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Hotels and tourist attractionsin the city are complying with mandatory health and safety protocols to preventcoronavirus transmission to employees and customers, he said.

The city’s tourism authoritiesshould launch stimulus programmes to encourage city residents to learn aboutthe city’s historical and cultural values, he said.

Surveys show that many peoplein HCM City have very little knowledge about its historical and culturalattractions, he added.

Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, Deputy Directorof the city Department of Tourism, said a campaign called “Hello HCM City”would be rolled out soon as part of efforts to introduce new tourism productsand make over the city’s tourism image.

There would be a tourismstimulus programme offering 70 tours at reasonable prices with theparticipation of 24 travel firms and six hotels, she added./.