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BUSINESS REPORT

Elsewhere, Saigontourist managed to
retain more than 70 per cent of its staff
during the pandemic but has struggled to
find tour guides since the tourism sector
resumed and began welcoming international
visitors, according to Ms. Hoang Thuy
Linh, Deputy Director of Marketing and
Communications at the travel company.
Other segments were hit just as hard,
especially accommodation. Most hotels
welcomed no guests at all last year, except
those acting as isolation facilities. Average
occupancy for the year as a whole has been
estimated by VNAT at just 5 per cent.
VNAT figures also show that up to 80
per cent of employees at accommodation
establishments had to quit their jobs and
seek another occupation, which has resulted
in a significant shortage of human resources
now that tourism is looking to recover.
Most were forced out of the industry.
The number of employees working full- its 20 floors for foreign guests. The lobby, At a VNAT press conference on Febru-
time in 2021 accounted for only 25 per dining areas, and other service provision ary 21, General Director Nguyen Trung
cent of the figure in 2020. Some 30 per have been divided into specific areas. All Khanh said the tourism industry is ready
cent of the workforce quit, while 35 per of its indoor space is clearly marked to and has done what it can so that, from
cent temporarily left and 10 per cent stayed ensure pandemic prevention. “Our staff March 15, Vietnam’s tourism sector will
but had little or no work and hence little have all received two doses of vaccine and officially reopen. There is still much to be
or no salary. most have received their third dose, and done, however. Ministries and agencies
we have checked, cleaned, and disinfected must work together to identify plans to
REGAINING GROUND all facilities to guarantee the safety of both welcome international tourists safely, sci-
Hard hit by the pandemic, tourism employees and visitors,” said Mr. Chris entifically, and effectively, in accordance
businesses are looking forward to the Hallett, Sales and Marketing Manager at with directions from the Prime Minister,
reopening of international tourism so they the InterContinental Saigon Hotel. with ensuring pandemic prevention being
can begin the recovery process. Accommodation establishments and a prerequisite. Other tasks include improv-
From February 15, restrictions were travel agencies are busy persuading workers ing service capacity, facilities, and human
fully lifted on regular international flights to return to work or are recruiting new resources, boosting the quality of tourism
to and from Vietnam. The Ministry of staff. All share a similar concern about products and destination competitiveness,
Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed service quality, which will be directly and focusing on product quality and facil-
the government open two-way international affected by any staff shortages. Most are ities to increase the competitiveness of
tourism from March 15, with a view to currently providing limited services due Vietnam’s tourism sector overall.
tourism activities being gradually reopened to a lack of people. Silk Sense Hoi An “Tourism is a key economic sector, con-
as soon as possible, with tight organization River Resort, for example, has posted tributing 10 per cent of the country’s GDP,
and guaranteed safety and efficiency. These recruitment notices for various positions, so in order for it to retain this position the
are the foundations for tourism-related from sales and marketing to reception, Party and the State need a master plan on
businesses to prepare for resumption. housekeeping, and food and beverages, in recovering tourism activities,” Mr. Ky said.
“With the government’s efforts in ‘Safe preparation for reopening, according to He suggested that policies be introduced
adaptation, flexibly and effectively con- Mr. Tran Thai Do, President of Silk Sense. quickly and be synchronized and consistent,
trolling the Covid-19 pandemic’, Vietravel to avoid creating any difficulties. “There
and its member companies quickly restarted are many policies being introduced, but if
tourism activities in Ho Chi Minh City they are not implemented thoroughly it
and other localities, and reopened com- Tourism is a key will be difficult for the tourism industry
mercial flights with Vietravel Airlines’ to recover,” he added.
‘Back to the Sky’ event,” Mr. Ky said. economic sector, The reopening of international flights
The company has continually contributing 10 per cent of is necessary but not enough for interna-
researched and developed products and the country’s GDP, so in order tional tourism to recover. In normal times,
taken appropriate steps at each stage to for it to retain this position most foreign visitors would plan well ahead
maintain operations, including “thawing”, the Party and the State need before traveling, usually from six months
“restarting”, “accelerating”, and “reaching to a year. Mr. Vu Minh Tho, Director of
the finish line”. It will take advantage of a master plan on recovering Asia Top Travel, said if there is no specific
having its own airline and the positive tourism activities.” plan adopted, it will be at least the end of
signs being seen in domestic and interna- the year before international guests start
tional tourism, he added. MR. NGUYEN QUOC KY, to arrive in healthy numbers. “There needs
Meanwhile, the InterContinental Saigon, Chairman of the Board of Directors, to be a specific plan in place from the
one of the hotels in Ho Chi Minh City that Vietravel Holdings beginning of March,” he believes. “The
met the criteria for the pilot welcoming of peak season for inbound visitors is October
international arrivals, has reserved ten of to April, so we must be ready.” %

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