Abnormal absence of guests near the April 30 and May 1 holidays, what is happening to Hoi An and Da Nang tourism?

Not only has domestic tourists decreased, the flow of traditional tourists such as Americans, Australians, Europeans, Taiwanese… to Hoi An and Da Nang is less than usual, causing many people to question what is happening with tourism in the Central region. ?

Due to increased airline tickets, war or economic difficulties?

These days, from early afternoon when walking along the coastal road from Da Nang to Hoi An, you can still see cars and buses lining up towards the center of Hoi An ancient town.

But the crowds in Hoi An do not mean increased revenue. The old town is only busy during rush hour. After finishing sightseeing, visitors turn towards Da Nang and Hue.

“I don’t understand why this year, the number of tour bookings from April, May and June to our company is less than usual. We are a business specializing in international tourists, taking eco-country tours.

If we say there are few passengers due to air tickets, it’s not really because international flights are currently quite cheap,” Mr. Tran Van Khoa – director of Jack Tran Tours Hoi An Travel Company – said.

The situation of unusually few visitors right before the summer tourist peak, including both domestic and international visitors, is making many businesses worried.

Mr. Tran The Do – owner of the 5-star Silk Sence Hoi An resort – also said that the number of guests booking to Silk Sence is only at 50% capacity. This is an unusually low number.

Mr. Do believes that rising airfares along with the global trend of tightening spending, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Middle East conflict hot spot… are making tourists travel less.

Accommodation areas are considered “rarely lacking guests” such as La Siesta Hoi An, Furama Da Nang… but right next to the ceremony, the rooms are still not filled.

Mr. Vuong Dinh Manh – general manager of La Siesta Hoi An – said 90% of rooms here have been booked until May 1. However, the number of rooms booked from May to July is currently low.

“This year’s data shows that international visitors have also declined, not just domestic ones,” Mr. Manh said.

Has the traveler changed direction?

This summer tourism season from 2024 is expected by Central region businesses to be a boom period, “making up for what was lost” from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotels, resorts, and travel agencies are ready with human resources and programs to welcome guests, but currently things are not as expected.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong – sales and marketing director of Bellerive Hoi An accommodation – said the business chose May to announce a 5-star accommodation to attract customers. However, there are currently a lot of empty rooms, even though it is close to the long holiday of April 30 and May 1.

“We invested very carefully to build green, environmentally friendly hotels, exploiting human cultural experiences in riverside fishing villages.

To stimulate demand, we apply incentives for early bookings and long-stay guests. Then offer accompanying services, increase activities for guests such as bicycle tours, rope tying classes, towel folding, cooking right in the hotel, taking guests to experience the Bay Mau coconut forest… But until now still recorded fewer tourists than previous years” – Ms. Duong said.

Ms. Duong said that when she contacted her tourism colleagues in the provinces, she was informed that this year a large number of tourists flocked to Phu Quoc, Kien Giang, Ha Long… due to good stimulus policies in these destinations.

Another reason is that tourist groups from Taiwan are currently turning to other destinations instead of choosing the Central region.

In the situation of lacking customers, right before the holidays of April 30 and May 1, many businesses find ways to attract tourists such as offering services, keeping room prices the same, the longer you stay, the better prices you can enjoy… However, currently The situation is still quite tense.