Vietnam and Philippines explore ways to boost two-way tourism

MANILA – Vietnamese and the Philippine travel agents should expand co-operation to exploit the two countries’ tourism potential and develop their businesses and the tourism industry, Vietnam’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Vu Xuan Truong, said.

“Vietnam and the Philippines have many opportunities to develop joint tourism activities,” he said while speaking at a reception for representatives of 14 Vietnamese travel companies. They were on a five-day visit to the Philippines last week to seek business opportunities with support from Cebu Pacific Air. 

“In addition to cultural and historical similarities, Vietnam and the Philippines also have their own unique characteristics to attract tourists,” he said. Many Philippine travel agencies consider Vietnam a highly promising market, he said. “In addition to its many fascinating landscapes like deltas, mountains, and the ocean, Vietnam's food is a favorite with Philippine tourists because of its diversity and special flavors. Its goods, including handicrafts, will also satisfy the Philippine tourists' desire for shopping. “More significantly, it is our glorious history that makes Vietnam an attractive destination for many Filipinos. “Like the Vietnamese, the Filipinos also had to fight many invaders for their independence and many of them want to visit Vietnam to learn about our struggles against foreign aggressors.”

Speaking about the Philippines’ tourism potential, he said, the country can offer Vietnamese people many options -- for instance, wonderful sea trips since the country has more than 7,000 islands. "The Philippine culture is also colorful and lively. It is a mixture of their traditional culture and the culture of many countries including Spain, Mexico, and the US. “Vietnamese also can visit the Philippines for short-term English courses. The standard of English in the Philippines is much better than in many other Asian English-speaking countries while tuition and living costs are much cheaper. “Golf and shopping tours are other options for Vietnamese tourists since the Philippines have many cheap golf courses and big shopping malls are everywhere."

Despite these advantages, tourism activities between Vietnam and the Philippines remain underdeveloped, he said. “Before July 2008 Vietnam received around 30,000 Filipinos every year coming for tourism, studies, or business. Only around 15,000 Vietnamese went to the Philippines. But the numbers have dropped recently due to the global economic turmoil,” he said.

The lack of tourism products and information about each other's country and people are the main reasons hindering the development of tourism between Vietnam and the Philippines, Truong said. To overcome this problem, he said tourism agencies in Vietnam and the Philippines should co-operate to actively launch promotion programs in the two markets.

Tran Vinh Loc, executive director of Lac Hong Voyages Co. Ltd who led the Vietnamese tourism delegation, agreed saying, "Tourism activities between the two countries would improve significantly if Vietnamese and Filipinos are provided enough information about what is available and travel agencies have the courage to sell new tourism products.” Loc also said it is time for Vietnamese and Philippine tour operators to explore new markets. “The two countries have enough attractions. The question is how to attract people and the answer is the co-operation.” The most difficult aspect is fixing prices, especially for air tickets. So, to sell new tours to people, travel, hotel, and air operators must sit together to discuss and establish the best prices, he said.  “We began receiving Philippine tourists in 2005 and the number has continuously increased. Recognizing the potential of the Philippines market, we plan to begin the first tour before Christmas."

Readiness for co-operation

Lily Bosada, senior officer at the Philippines' Department of Tourism, said her agency appreciates the Vietnamese tourism market and is ready to co-operate with the Vietnamese tourism sector to promote tourism between the two countries. “We will continue to organize familiarization trips for Vietnamese travel agents and media to introduce our country to the Vietnamese people. “We are preparing to set up a representative office in Vietnam to support both Vietnamese and Philippine travel companies.” Charles L. Lim, corporate communications consultant at Cebu Pacific Air, said: "I admit we have not yet paid attention to advertising our tourism. We hope many Vietnamese travel agents will visit our country so that they can tell Vietnamese people about our country, culture, history, and people.”    

"Manila and Cebu have many similarities with provinces in Vietnam. However, we also have differences which I believe can attract Vietnamese tourists. “At present, Cebu Pacific has three flights to Vietnam a week and in future we plan to increase them. “For new markets like Vietnam and the Philippines, organizing FAM trips are very necessary because it would help us better understand about our two countries, opportunities for tours, and tour costs, based on which we can find ways to put everything together,” Alice K. Queblatin, managing director of the Cebu-based Southwind Travel & Tours. Inc, said.

VNS