Faced with the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism requests travel businesses to stop and not organize tours to dangerous areas to ensure the safety of tourists.
Businesses are advised to regularly update the situation, comply with safety recommendations and prioritize adjusting, canceling or changing tour schedules when necessary.
In fact, some businesses have early implemented alternative plans to limit the impact on customers; quickly reviewed tour programs related to the Middle East and proactively adjusted exploitation plans in the coming time.
Ms. Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh - Director of Marketing and Communications Department of Vietravel said that the business has proactively contacted customers with transit routes through the Middle East in March to advise on alternative options.
For routes using airlines such as Emirates or Qatar Airways, we can adjust routes, update new departure schedules or switch to other routes if necessary. Most passengers choose to switch to another route or save costs to wait when the situation stabilizes," Ms. Khanh said.
At the same time, businesses also review their operating plans, diversify flight routes, especially European routes that do not transit through the Middle East or connect through East Asia to reduce dependence on one transit point.
Not only large businesses, but also many small and medium-sized travel companies have to adjust their tour plans.
Mr. Nguyen Van Nhi - representative of Postours & Event said that a group of company guests with a scale of about 25-30 people had to be canceled due to the impact of the war.
Currently, the delegation is completing procedures to cancel and rearrange the tour plan. Air tickets are 100% refunded according to the airline's policy, and other services are mostly preserved by partners. Visa fees that have been made cannot be refunded," Mr. Nhi said.
According to Mr. Nhi, for groups that have not yet departed, businesses will allow customers to postpone or reserve tours. If customers want to refund money to switch to another itinerary, the company is also ready to support customers to choose a more suitable destination.
While some tourist groups are forced to cancel or postpone departure plans close to the date, many other businesses are still closely monitoring developments to make a final decision.
Mr. Phung Xuan Khanh - CEO of Tien Phong Travel said that the unit still has a delegation expected to come to the Middle East in April, but is closely monitoring regional developments.
We are waiting for more information to assess the situation. If tensions continue to escalate, businesses are ready to cancel plans and refund tickets, accepting losses to ensure safety for customers," Mr. Khanh said.
In the context of tensions in the Middle East affecting international tourism and aviation activities, this region is still considered a potentially rich market. Middle Eastern tourist groups from some of the richest countries in the world have high spending levels, playing an important role in Vietnam's long-term tourism development strategy.
Current geopolitical developments will certainly create short-term impacts, especially on aviation and international transshipment activities. However, if the situation is controlled and does not spread into regional conflict, the market may recover quite quickly thanks to the large transshipment system in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi," Ms. Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh assessed.
