VietNamNet Bridge – HCMC travel companies have reported good growth in domestic and outbound tours for locals this month though the economic downturn has forced many to reduce spending.

“Many travelers have changed outbound tours to domestic tours and they are not interested in day trips”.

Luu Dinh Phuc, director of Viettours Trading & Services Company, told the Daily that his company had seen a 15% increase in customers this season, down from 25% last year.

Viettours prices are up only around 10% this holiday season, thanks to lower fuel prices, compared to a 20% increase a year ago.

Saigontourist Travel Service Company estimates a 10% increase in local travelers this season compared to a 15% increase last year. “We are receiving new bookings. Our company still arrange domestic tours for groups of 200 people, and outbound tours to long-haul destinations with premium services,” said Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing manager of the company.

This year, domestic tour prices at Saigontourist have increased by only 8% compared to 15% last year. Phu Quoc tours are fully booked and the company is requesting more air tickets to Hong Kong and Macao.

Tran Xuan Hung, director of Viking Travel and Media Company, told much the same story. The company has sold out two outbound caravan tours and a national caravan tour for Lunar New Year, Hung said.

However, bookings for Viking’s outbound tours are down by 50% while bookings for domestic tours are up by around 40%. “Many travelers have changed outbound tours to domestic tours and they are not interested in day trips,” Hung told the Daily.

Nguyen Van My, director of Lua Viet Picnic Company, said holiday bookings are up slightly but the growth is better than expected. “We earlier estimated a decline but have seen growth,” he said.

Lua Viet’s tour prices have marked up by around 20% compared to 25% last year.

Piditourist has also reported a holiday price hike of around 20% but is offering a VND5,000 discount per day for each day booked prior to departure for Tet tours.

(Source: SGT)