Picking up cruise ship passengers is difficult because the vehicles do not have tourist badges.
Specifically, in 2023, Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa will welcome more than 30 cruise ships with tens of thousands of tourists, most of them from the European - American market. Among them, there are large and world-famous cruise lines such as Spectrum of the Sea (4,000 passengers), MSC Poesia (2,800 passengers), Queen Elizabeth (2,000 passengers), Mein Schiff 5 (2,500 passengers) ...
However, from February 18 to 24, there were 3 cruise ships canceled to Nha Trang, including: Queen Mary 2 (2,000 Western European passengers), Seven Seas Explorer (700 American passengers), Nautica (500 passengers).
In 2022, the cruise ship Le Lapérouse docked at Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh) and Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) ports. Photo: Thuc Nghi
Most recently, a representative of Saigontourist Nha Trang branch also confirmed that the Spectrum of the Sea ship (4,000 passengers) scheduled to dock at Nha Trang port on February 26 has also canceled its trip.
Mr. Nguyen Quang Thang - Director of Tictours International Travel Company Limited - said that he has sent a petition to the Provincial People's Committee to resolve difficulties in serving international cruise tourists to Nha Trang.
Some cruise ships have announced cancellations and will not operate their voyages to Nha Trang because it is very difficult to take passengers to visit Nha Trang and its surrounding areas because the main roads in and out of the city are prohibited for vehicles with more than 29 seats during rush hour, and the roads in the suburban areas of Nha Trang such as Vinh Ngoc - Vinh Thanh commune. This is a rural area with products that tourists love such as visiting ancient houses, communal houses, rural markets, craft villages, rice fields...
"This causes losses for businesses and the tourism industry in Khanh Hoa, losing points in the eyes of tourists, especially European and American tourists, a market that many destinations dream of. If this continues, it will lead to shipping lines having to reconsider their plans to include Nha Trang as a destination in the near future," Mr. Thang said.
Businesses propose to remove difficulties
Previously, in January 2023, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee allowed cars with more than 29 seats to be granted tourist vehicle badges according to regulations to enter Nha Trang city center during rush hour.
However, since the decision was issued, no car has been granted a "tourist car" license plate because the drivers lack training certificates to serve tourists.
To promptly resolve difficulties, especially for cruise ships to Nha Trang in the coming February-April (about 12 trips), Mr. Thang as well as travel companies have proposed to resolve difficulties.
Cruise ship tourists have high spending levels and love to visit craft villages and cultural tours. Photo: Minh Chien
Such as temporarily allowing tourist cars with more than 29 seats to serve cruise tourists to be allowed to circulate on central routes during rush hours for specific days when cruise ships enter Nha Trang. Procedures for registering the number of vehicles, license plates, etc., the company is responsible for notifying and registering with the authorities at least 1 day before the ship arrives (can apply the license of Nha Trang port and border guards issued to the vehicle as a type of identification document).
Temporarily allow tourist vehicles with more than 29 seats to serve cruise tourists to circulate on the routes in Vinh Ngoc - Vinh Thanh commune area and some crossroads from 23-10 street to Luong Dinh Cua street to serve tourists on countryside tours (about 10 vehicles/train trip).
The Department of Tourism must coordinate with training facilities to quickly open training classes and issue professional certificates to drivers to soon complete the procedures for issuing tourist vehicle badges.
The leader of the Department of Tourism said that according to regulations, in order for a vehicle to be granted a "tourist vehicle" badge, the driver must undergo training in tourism services, and the service staff on the vehicle must undergo training in tourism services, transportation, and legal regulations on transportation business activities... Every year, the Department of Tourism opens tourism training classes (most recently in September 2022), but most businesses rarely send drivers and staff to study.
Creating conditions for businesses to welcome international cruise ships will bring a large source of visitors to Khanh Hoa. Photo: Minh Chien
Therefore, when the Provincial People's Committee allowed vehicles with "tourist vehicle" badges to transport passengers into the city during rush hour, tourist transport businesses did not have drivers or staff qualified enough to apply for the badges.
The Department of Tourism has planned to open two tourism training courses for drivers and service staff on tourist transport vehicles and inland waterway vehicles from March 13 to 18.
Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee also said that Mr. Le Huu Hoang - Standing Vice Chairman - signed an official dispatch requesting the Department of Transport to coordinate with the Department of Tourism and related units to urgently inspect and handle the recommendations of travel companies; advise on matters under the authority of the Provincial People's Committee before March 3.
