Stronger aviation-tourism cooperation crucial for both sectors: Experts

Closer cooperation between the aviation and tourism sectors is key to further promoting tourism activities, which experts say are expected to benefit both the industry and the economy as a whole.

Hanoi (VNA) – Closer cooperation between the aviation and tourism sectors is key to further promoting tourism activities, which experts say are expected to benefit both the industry and the economy as a whole.

This year, Vietnam’s tourism sector aims to serve 17-18 million foreign visitors and 110 million domestic tourists to earn about VND840 trillion ($33.01 billion).

Experts recognized that tourism and aviation are closely linked, sharing mutual support and inseparable ties in the development process. Both industries are service industries, which means products cannot be stored and rely heavily on technology to provide customers with efficient and convenient services.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), the domestic airline currently operates 45 flight routes connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City with 19 destinations across the country, with nearly 600 domestic flights daily.

Last year, there were 43,000 flights on the Hanoi-HCM City route, accounting for 17.5% of all domestic flights, making it one of the 10 busiest routes in the world.

Currently, 63 foreign airlines and four domestic carriers operate 164 international routes, connecting 33 countries and territories with six destinations in Vietnam, namely Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Phu Quoc and Da Lat. The international flight network has been fully restored to pre-Covid-19 levels and expanded to new markets in Central Asia, India and Australia.

CAAV deputy director Do Hong Cam said international air transport has contributed to the strong growth of international tourism. The country recorded 7.6 million international arrivals in the first five months of this year, an increase of 61.7% and 3.9%, respectively, compared to the same period last year and before the pandemic in 2019. this year this number will reach 18 million.

Statistics have shown that the number of tourists arriving in Vietnam by air is a very high rate, almost 80% compared to other modes of transport.

However, due to many reasons, including high fuel prices, engine rentals and USD/VND exchange rate differences, domestic air ticket prices have increased in the recent past, while air ticket prices worldwide are expected to increase by 3 this year –7% and even more in the following years.

The increase had a negative impact on the aviation and tourism sectors, as well as other economic areas and livelihoods of local communities.

According to experts from the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), domestic airfares can be reduced through comprehensive coordination among relevant entities, including the government, ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises.

The cooperation should go beyond joint advertising and promotions and include building a phased master plan aimed at generating long-term effects, said Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the JOT Secretariat.

He maintained that both sectors should organize forums to discuss each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and take urgent action to support each other to ensure benefits for all, including aviation and tourism companies, destinations, local authorities and communities. /