According to media reports, many hotels in Vietnam have been forced to shut temporarily to mitigate losses while a number of tour guides are seeking new jobs.
Vietnam’s tourism industry has felt bruises as the new cororavirus has spread fears across the globe and caused a plunge in foreign arrivals, especially guests from the largest markets.
Tourists enjoy on a boat at Ha Long bay, Quang Ninh province. |
Foreign tourist arrivals in the country totaled an estimated 3.23 million in the first two months this year, representing an increase of 4.8% year-on-year, the slowest pace since 2016, according to data of the General Statistic Office.
The country welcomed 2.43 million Asia visitors in the January-February period, up a meager 4.7% from the corresponding period last year. Of the total, arrivals from China dropped 5.8% to 838.6 thousand, those from South Korea inched up 2.4% to 790.4 thousand, and those from Japan increased 8% to 163 thousand.
The impact of Covid-19 was felt stronger in February when the arrivals reached some 1.24 million, falling 27.7% from January and 21.8% from a year earlier, statistics showed. The number of Asian guests, which usually account for more than 70% of the total, plummeted 27.2% year-on-year.
According to media reports, many hotels in Vietnam have been forced to shut temporarily to mitigate losses while a number of tour guides are seeking new jobs.
Vietnam’s tourism industry is estimated to suffer a loss of US$7 billion this year due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and national carrier Vietnam Airlines on February 25 launched a campaign to stimulate travel demand for both outbound and inbound markets.
Other News
- Self-drive tours become more popular in Hanoi
- Hanoi's camping attracts visitors seeking nature experiences
- Summer travel trend: Vietnamese tourists opt for nearby destinations
- Ngoc Son Temple night tour launched in Hanoi
- First music album inspired by Temple of Literature released
- New routes to explore heritage road in Hanoi
- South Korean tourism pays tribute to Hanoi travel agents
- Hanoi's MICE tourism promises vigorous year-end growth
- Agritourism for building new style rural areas in Hanoi
- The digital evolution of stage art
Trending
-
Hanoi as a muse for Uruguayan economist: “She is a great city!"
-
Vietnam news in brief - October 10
-
Seventy years after Hanoi Liberation: Remembering victory day
-
70 years after liberation, Hanoi lives up to national expectations
-
Hanoi teacher with determination to protect the capital
-
"Cultural Festival for Peace": Historic takeover of Hanoi
-
Sacred and mysterious Hanoi in lacquer painting
-
Cultural Festival for Peace to promote Hanoi as a peaceful destination
-
Vietnam condemns violence by Chinese authorities in Hoang Sa