With rising domestic airfares, travelers are shifting their focus to overseas tours.

With the participation of 51 provinces and cities of Vietnam, 15 countries and territories, 450 booths and 600 units, VITM Hanoi 2023 organized 18 tourism promotion events and activities. Through business-to-business meetings, business-to-tourist meetings, and activities of Vietnamese and international tourism promotion agencies, a new atmosphere was created for interaction and exchange between domestic and international tourism businesses, making an important contribution to the recovery of the international tourism market and further boosting domestic tourism.

Ms. Cao Thi Ngoc Lan, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association and Deputy Head of the Organizing Committee, stated: "According to surveys, after 4 days of operation, VITM Hanoi 2023 has generated estimated revenue of approximately 45 billion VND (statistics from 10 businesses at the fair). 25% of respondents rated it as very satisfactory, 72.5% as satisfactory, and 0.3% as unsatisfied... Regarding the level of achievement of expected goals, 9% reported the fair exceeded expectations, 88% met the goals, and over 2% did not; 91% of businesses and organizations have indicated their intention to participate in VITM 2024."

At the closing ceremony, the Vietnam Tourism Association awarded commemorative plaques to 10 units with the largest booths, 9 units with the most impressively designed booths, and 12 booths that organized unique and attractive activities for visitors.

Observations from many booths at the fair show that the tours attracting the most customer interest were those priced under 15 million VND (accounting for up to 65% of visitors). Most visitors to the booths searching for tours were middle-aged and had ample time for travel.

The most sought-after tours by tourists were to Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and China. On this occasion, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) offered many exciting activities for visitors. Customers who purchased tours at the exhibition from eight travel companies cooperating with KTO – Vietravel, Hanoi Tourism, Saigon Tourist, Flamingo Redtours, Vietnam Tourism, Vietluxtour, Postum Travel, and Hanotours – received a gift. Five South Korean tourism agencies, representing the local tourism promotion offices of Jeju, Busan, Gyeongbuk, and Gangneung, also had many activities that attracted many Vietnamese visitors.

For domestic tours, the Central Highlands, Moc Chau, Phu Quoc, Da Nang, etc., are popular destinations for tourists.

However, according to some travel agencies, the increase in airfare has led to higher prices for domestic tours, significantly impacting people's travel decisions. Many tourists have shifted their focus, opting for overseas tours priced under 15 million VND, especially tours to China, instead of domestic tours.

Bi Le