Holiday tours see strong rise despite economic woes

April 08, 2011 | 21:00

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The number of tourists bookings for both outbound and inbound tours during the holidays of April 30 and May Day shot up despite economic difficulties such as high inflation.

Phan Thiet - illustration photo

According to travel agencies, the number of tourists booking tours during the four-day holidays increased by 20-30 per cent compared to the last year’s same period.

With more than 250 in- and out-bound tours coupled with promotion programmes during the Hung Kings festival, which falls on April 12, and the April 30 holiday, the Saigontourist travel agency has to date attracted over 14,000 holidaymakers.

The number of tourists going on tours of Fiditour Tourism Company is estimated at 22,000 during this year’s April 30 holiday, up nearly 30 per cent, said Deputy Director Dang Trung Nghia.

Sea tourism destinations like Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Da Nang, Con Dao and Phu Quoc remain the most attractive places, luring 60 per cent of the total number of tourists booking inbound tours.

The fireworks festival in Da Nang city, the Ha Long tourism week in Quang Ninh province and the international kite festival in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province all taking place during the April-30 holiday, are said to help boost tourist movement.

In addition to sea tours, tours to the Cai Be floating market in the Mekong delta city of Can Tho, or the Central Highlands are also popular.

Outbound tours focus on Australia, Europe, the United States, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

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