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The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has completed a plan for the city's economic recovery. Accordingly, there will be two scenarios to support the tourism industry in the coming period, based on the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ho Chi Minh City will boost domestic tourism if the Covid-19 pandemic is basically under control by September.
In the first scenario, if the Covid-19 pandemic is brought under control in September, Ho Chi Minh City will implement domestic tourism stimulus programs by linking hotels, travel agencies, transportation companies, and tourist attractions to create new and attractive products. In addition, the city will also promote cooperation and development with provinces in the Southeast, Mekong Delta, and Northeastern and Northwestern regions. The Department will also strengthen communication efforts to ensure that tourism businesses and tourists adhere to safety standards in disease prevention, guaranteeing the health of residents and tourists participating in tourism programs.
The second scenario is that if the pandemic lasts until the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, it means that tourism and travel activities will be disrupted. Tourism promotion activities will focus on restructuring and retraining human resources in the tourism industry. The Department will support businesses in restructuring, reorienting the tourist market, and developing new products to prepare for the restart of business when the pandemic is under control.
According to statistics from the Department of Tourism, currently about 90-95% of travel businesses have temporarily suspended operations, with only a few remaining open to handle outstanding debts with partners and customers. According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many hotels to cut staff, implement shift work 2-3 days/week, and reduce occupancy rates by 91.5% compared to the same period in 2019. The number of employees has decreased by 61% compared to the same period, with 87.4% on unpaid leave and 12.6% having their employment terminated.
