September 2nd Tourism: Intra-provincial tours are on the rise

(Baonghean) - This year's September 2nd holiday, workers will have 3 days off, from September 2nd to 4th. Nearly 2 months before the holiday, travel agencies have launched many attractive service packages, introducing tours and short-term vacation routes at stable prices. Notably, this year's holiday marks the "throne" of many destinations in the province.

Hot domestic tour

Since the end of July, domestic tours at many travel agencies have been “heating up” with the number of bookings increasing day by day. According to preliminary surveys by businesses, this year, tourists are more interested in destinations in the Central and Southern regions such as Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, the Western provinces, Con Dao, etc. than in the Northern landscapes and landscapes.

“This year, there are 2 “leap” June lunar months, so the sunny season is longer, sea and island tourism in the Central and Southern provinces is very attractive, the tour time is also arranged to fit into 2.5 - 3 days of holiday. Besides, there are many cheap, quality domestic flights departing from Vinh City such as Vinh - Da Nang, Vinh - Nha Trang, Vinh - Da Lat, Vinh - Ho Chi Minh City... helping to shorten travel time, diversifying choices" - Ms. Truong Thi Thanh Hien - Director of Caravan Asia International Travel Company explained.

Up to this point, although it is only 3 days before the holiday, the hotlines of travel agencies are still accepting tours. This is considered a “last minute” period, and businesses are also flexibly adjusting services to please customers because many people make last-minute travel decisions.

Experience crossing the Seven-tiered waterfall by rubber boat. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Short-term tours are built by travel companies with suitable prices, hotel/resort services from 3 to 5 stars but often accompanied by many other interesting promotions. Ms. Mai Nguyen - Communications and Marketing Department of Vietravel Vinh branch shared that the unit is currently having a program of discounting membership cards, group discounts and senior incentives for people aged 60 and over, direct discounts for passports with stamps from 3 countries or more and other gifts with the Vietravel brand.

The incentive program was proactively built many months ago, promoted on many mass media "channels", so the number of tours sold on the occasion of September 2 this year was very positive. Referring to some travel companies, in general, tour prices are quite stable, not fluctuating much compared to normal.

For example, the Da Nang-Ba Na-Son Tra-Hoi An tour (3 days 2 nights) costs from 3 million VND/person; the Western tour during the flood season: Western Region - Chau Doc-Tra Su Melaleuca Forest-Ha Tien-Rach Gia-Can Tho (4 days 3 nights) costs from 2.99 million VND/person...

Up to now, the number of tours sold has reached 70 - 80% compared to the service plan of travel companies. Tours traveling by air are basically full, the rest are mainly traveling by road, traveling during the day.

Notably, in addition to traditional package tours, combo tours and “free and easy” tours are increasingly receiving the attention of tourists. Combo tours are creating a separate tour program according to the needs of each customer: Stay at the hotel you like, go at the time you want and only include the attractions and entertainment activities that you find attractive at a reasonable and economical price.

The “free and easy” tour usually includes the most “minimal” services, including airfare, hotel, airport pick-up and drop-off; the rest of the sightseeing and exploration program is up to the tourists to decide and take care of themselves.

The shift in people's choice of tourism forms shows the increasing need for initiative and demand for quality of vacation.

Bustling destinations in the province

This year’s National Day holiday continues to be a “golden holiday” for busy families with limited time to have a chance to rest, as well as for children before entering the new school year. For many people in Nghe An province who do not have the conditions to travel outside the province, destinations within the province are the best choice.

Cua Lo Beach continues to be at the top of the list when in the first 7 months of 2017, the town welcomed more than 2 million visitors; revenue from tourism services reached 1,920 billion VND, up 45% compared to the same period in 2016. Destinations such as Thanh Chuong Tea Island, community tourism in Pu Mat (Con Cuong), Muong Long Heaven Gate (Ky Son), crossing the Seven-Tier Waterfall (Hanh Dich, Que Phong) ... are also "famous" on Facebook and some travel forums of "backpackers".

Thanh Chuong Tea Island promises to attract visitors on the occasion of September 2nd holiday. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Targeting the international tourist segment, some travel agencies are currently promoting spiritual tourism, experiential tourism, and discovery tourism. The tours are mainly built in 1 day, or 2 days 1 night such as Vinh - Thanh Chuong Tea Island - Dai Tue Pagoda - Kim Lien Relic Site - Tomb of Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan - Vinh; or Vinh - Thanh Chuong Tea Island - Khe Kem Waterfall - Ban Nua Community Tourism Area - Pha Lai Dam - Truong Bon - Vinh.

The National Day holiday on September 2 is a new holiday in the perception of foreigners, so tours focusing on this group are quite "attractive" to customers because this is both an opportunity to experience local culture and helps tourists have beautiful memories during their stay and temporary residence in President Ho Chi Minh's hometown.

Phuoc Anh