Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chaired the meeting. Photo: VNA.

At the meeting, leaders of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism reported on the negative impacts of the Covid-19 epidemic on the industry's activities. Accordingly, in the first 5 months of this year, the number of international visitors to Vietnam decreased by 50% compared to the same period in 2019, the number of domestic tourists also decreased by more than 58%, the total revenue from tourism reached just over 150 trillion dong, down more than 47%. From the beginning of the year until now, about 95% of international travel service businesses across the country have had to stop operating.

Many businesses have to give their employees unpaid leave or reduce their salaries by up to 80%, the average occupancy rate at accommodation establishments is only about 20% of capacity, and only about 30% of the staff is on duty. company. It is expected that if the situation allows to welcome international tourists back as soon as in the third quarter, it can only reach about six to eight million visitors in compared to more than 18 million arrivals in 2019.

At the meeting, representatives of ministries, sectors and tourism businesses had many opinions and shared the same view, in the current difficult situation, focusing on promoting domestic tourism is a practical solution to maintain and improve tourism. gradually restore Vietnam's tourism. In fact, domestic tourism activities are gradually improving again after the Covid-19 epidemic was well controlled, did not spread to the community and social distancing regulations were relaxed from the end of April. past. After the tourism industry launched the "Vietnamese people travel to Vietnam" program, many provinces and cities across the country responded, implementing demand stimulus plans, organizing business connections, linking products. with close cooperation between the two industries of tourism and aviation. Delegates also suggested that there should be a synchronous policy among ministries, sectors and localities to help tourism recover, create conditions to attract domestic tourists, and implement tax exemptions and reductions, as well as unified revenue collection. The most common discount rates, without disturbing the market and ensuring service quality, and at the same time coordinate in communication, advertising and tourism promotion.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam emphasized: The Government is very well aware that tourism is one of the industries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, and business establishments are affected by the pandemic. The service tourism business has been under great pressure and needs to be strengthened with practical solutions. Because the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic in countries around the world is still very complicated and prolonged, the tourism industry needs to coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to take advantage of conditions to promote domestic tourism. , do not let businesses go bankrupt or dissolve, especially with small tourism businesses and community tourism. The Deputy Prime Minister requested ministries and branches to accompany and share with tourism businesses; Note that localities need to pay attention and continue to reduce fees and tourism revenue evenly. The Deputy Prime Minister directs the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to coordinate with Tourism Associations and localities to urgently develop specific programs, mechanisms and policies to stimulate tourism demand. In the domestic market, focus on promoting, promoting and stimulating tourism in key destinations according to regions such as the Northwest, Northeast, Central Coast... do not let tourism businesses do it spontaneously and individually.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, for international tourists, the tourism industry needs to closely monitor the epidemic control situation in major markets, prepare a plan to be ready to welcome guests, but only implement it when it is actually done. safe. In addition, it is necessary to promote online forms of advertising, coordinate in building a program to promote Vietnam's tourism in association with disease prevention and control, and convey to international friends the message of a "Vietnamese tourism". Safe South".

According to Nhan Dan Newspaper