VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese tour operators and hotels have felt the impact of the Russian ruble fall against the U.S. dollar as overseas travels have turned expensive for Russians.

Russian tourists pose for a photo upon their arrival in HCMC in this file photo. The Russian ruble slide against the U.S. dollar has made overseas travels expensive for Russians - Photo: Michael Abadie

Travel agencies told the Daily that the number of Russian visitors to Vietnam last month did not drop but bookings from the Russian market for tours to Vietnam in the coming months have tumbled, up to 50% in some months compared to the same period last year though this is the peak period for Russian holidaygoers.

Hoang Thi Phong Thu, chairwoman of Anh Duong Tourist Company, said her company has had to cancel some chartered flights as the firm and its partner could not find enough passengers though the price of its tour packages has gone down by 50% some time.

“In the year to date, the ruble has devalued some 60% against the U.S. dollar. We have cut our tour prices but the demand from the market is still low,” Thu said.

Anh Duong and its partner Pegas Touristik have brought the biggest number of Russian travelers to Vietnam so far.

Representatives of other firms said they had incurred losses for a number of chartered flights arranged by them to carry Russian tourists to Vietnam. If this situation continues, they will have to reduce the number of chartered flights and suspend several routes linking Vietnam and Russia.

Vietnam Airlines is closely observing the number of Russian passengers on its flights to and from Russia.

Figures of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism showed over 330,000 Russian travelers came to Vietnam in January-November, up 25% over the same period last year. The local tourism sector expected to serve one million Russian visitors in 2020.    

SGT/VNN