More than 27,200 local tourists have bought promotion tours this year to date, or twice the number last year, prompting the Tourism Stimulus Team 2010 to ask the national tourism agency and more airlines to join hands for new promotion programs next year.

Tran The Dung, deputy head of the team, said that prices of package tours to familiar destinations like Danang.

Vietnam Airlines has lent a big helping hand by slashing prices of air tickets by half, while several travel service providers have marked down prices by 5% to 10%.  

Furthermore, members of the Tourism Stimulus Team 2010 have reduced their profit margins by some 15% to bring better benefits for tourists under the promotion program.

According to him, the team should have catered to more tourists if the weather in the central provinces had been better in the past few months.

“But we’ve got better business with more and more travelers asking for such tours, and that’s why we now call on the Vietnam National Administration for Tourism and other airlines like Jetstar Pacific and Mekong Air to make a similar program next year,” Dung told the Daily. 

Up to 26 travel companies in HCMC have clubbed together under the so-called Tourism Stimulus Team 2010 to jointly promote discounted tours for travelers. The team has been recognized by the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Hue, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Can Tho and Buon Ma Thuot have been slashed by 30% to 35% compared to the normal prices, capturing strong attention from local travelers.