Hotel and travel businesses worry
From March 1, Hanoi will pilot a ban on cars with more than 16 seats operating on many streets in the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake during rush hour, according to the proposal of the Department of Transport (GTVT).
According to the approval document of the Hanoi People's Committee, the time to ban 16-seat cars in these areas is from 6:30 to 8:30 and from 16:30 to 6:30. Buses and school buses are still operating.
The decision received a lot of support from people living in the old town because it helped reduce traffic congestion during rush hour and environmental pollution. However, this also makes hotels, accommodation establishments, and travel businesses worried, looking for alternative solutions to welcome tourists in the old town.
Talking to Lao Dong, a representative of Apricot Hotel (Hang Trong Ward, Hanoi) said that limiting tourist vehicles to the old town more or less affects the decision of guests to book accommodation. After hearing the news, some bookers were shy and started looking for places that were easier to move around. Hospitals in the pilot area will be disadvantaged more than hotels in other areas, he informed.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Thinh - Manager of La Dolce Vita Hotel (Hang Bo Ward, Hanoi) - commented: "Banning cars with more than 16 seats can greatly affect the travel companies responsible for picking up and dropping off guests to tourist attractions, large-scale hotels specializing in welcoming groups... With smaller-scale hotels, this does not affect much".
From the perspective of a tourism business, Mr. Bui Thanh Tu - Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel Travel Company - said that in the past, the company often accepted group tours for foreign tourists traveling to Northern destinations such as Ninh Binh, Ha Long... with pick-up and drop-off services. The pick-up and drop-off time is mainly early in the morning and late afternoon, during peak hours.
At that time, large tourist vehicles can enter the old town and pick up guests at the hotel without a tour guide. However, if you limit tourist vehicles at these times, visitors will have to move to a common location. The company also has to arrange tour guides or small vehicles to pick up guests, causing costs and disadvantages for both sides, said Mr. Tu.
Ms. Duong Thi Thanh Tam - President of Hoan Kiem District Tourism Association - said that businesses are still confused about alternative transportation options for groups of tourists, when the pilot period of the ban takes effect from March 1. The Association is consulting with members to make recommendations to the authorities.
On the other hand, despite concerns, representatives of travel companies and travel businesses all admit that limiting vehicles with more than 16 seats during peak hours will help reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution in the old town. Currently, these units are trying to find solutions to adapt to the new regulations.
How to adapt to new regulations
After receiving the information, many hotels and accommodation establishments have proactively contacted and discussed with travel agencies to find suitable solutions to avoid affecting business operations. To retain customers, some hotels and accommodation facilities are ready to support small vehicles to pick up and drop off guests at the gathering point. Mr. Bui Thanh Tu said: "For now, we are thinking about placing hotels near pick-up points or outside prohibited areas."
For areas where vehicles are banned from having more than 16 seats during peak hours, businesses propose to arrange more common check-in points to welcome guests. At the same time, on these routes, there should be small vehicles and electric vehicles running every day to pick up and drop off passengers more conveniently.
Regarding this issue, a representative of the Hanoi Department of Transport affirmed that there will be accompanying solutions to not affect tourism goals. Accordingly, to support tourists to travel conveniently, the city will arrange 4 transit points in the directions of limited areas on Ba Trieu, Tran Nhat Duat, Phung Hung streets and Dong Xuan market area. Transit vehicles do not use fossil fuels.
