At a time when most of the countries are struggling to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, thinking of the cross border tourism would be actually too early. Also, thinking of the virus dies out due to effective lockdown all over the world or turning out to be like a seasonal influenza, or rapidly developing a highly effective vaccine that can be mass produced and distributed to the large volumes of the population to give immunity, all these prospects are highly unlikely at least in next couple of months.
“There is no immediate return to the old ways as this crisis is not going to end immediately, says Nenden R. Rukasah, Business Development Director – International Market, Vinpearl Hotels & Resorts, Veitnam.
Given the circumstances, while many countries such as the U.S., Britain, Italy, Spain, France and Russia etc. are struggling to control the pandemic, there are countries like Vietnam and Israel etc. gradually heading towards the normalcy. Nenden R. Rukasah of Vinpearl Hotels & Resorts informs that Vietnam has lifted its 22 days social distancing directive on April 23rd, 2020. Most of the trades and services including hotels and resorts are allowed to resume their businesses.
Flight operations (mostly domestic), public transportation, inter-provincial transportation, monuments, tourism attractions and government offices have reopened with safety measures in place. Vietnamese nationals, foreigners on diplomatic or official business, and highly skilled workers are allowed to enter the country at this time. All persons entering Vietnam must undergo medical checks and 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
While speaking on the tourism activities in near future Rukasah says: “As the airlines resume international flights operation people will gradually start travelling for business and vacations. Though it is expected that people will avoid to travel long haul and highly affected destinations in the beginning. Hence, being a short haul destination to India and less affected with COVID-19 makes Vietnam a low risk destination to travel unlike the U. S. and Europe.” The country has recorded 288 COVID-19 positive ceases with zero death.
“In India, Vietnam is still considered as an affordable destination and this could be huge advantage for us post COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, our focus will be on this market. We have appointed Sunrise Representations to promote Vinpearl Hotels & Resorts and create more business opportunities in this market,” says Rukasah.
Furthermore, she feels that the hospitality sector is one of the earliest and hardest hit industries by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial that hotels act in a proactive manner by effectively managing room rates and marketing offers to maximize revenues. People intend to have strong promotion and discount from the hotels. Local and International markets would recover by middle of 2021 and the end of 2021 respectively.
Elaborating on the safety measures taken by the Group she says that Vinpearl provides health and safety assurance for employees and customers by providing daily mask to employees, vitamin C to enhance resistance, conducting a temperature test of 100% of employees and customers before entering the facility, put bottles of disinfectant solution and soap in the common area, continuously sanitize common areas and workplaces, willingness for medical support in all conditions.
Vinpearl Hotels & Resorts, Veitnam
Vinpearl is a well-known hospitality brand in Vietnam with 34 hotels and resorts spreading over 3,000 kms of coastline and major cities such as Ha Long Bay, Quanh Binh, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Phu Quoc and many others places. In addition to the hotels & resorts, group’s properties include 4 Vinpearl Golf Courses, Vinpearl Land Entertainment, Vinpearl Wild Animal Safari, Akoya Health and Beauty Spa, Luxurious Convention Center and Fine-dining Restaurants.
