According to the latest report of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), thanks to global Covid-19 vaccinations, the world tourism industry will gain a slow recovery in 2021 and regain growth momentum in the second half of the year.

UNWTO also said that domestic tourism would still be the main trend this year, accounting for 90% of tourists. In the context of Covid-19 pandemic, people tend to travel close to home, to destinations close to nature (60%) and in small groups or with their families. International tourism activities are likely to reopen from late in the third quarter 2021.

Ms. Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, talks about the capital's tourism development. Photo: Trong Dat

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism assessed that domestic tourism will remain a key factor this year. Thanks to the Vietnamese government's control of Covid, Booking.com stated that 71% of Vietnamese are ready to travel. These are good signs for Vietnam's tourism industry.

Hanoi allowed bars, karaoke parlors and discos to resume their activities on March 23, creating favorable conditions for the recovery of tourism and service activities.

In this context, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Information and Communications of Hanoi inked a coordination program on improving the efficiency of information, propaganda, promotion and application of information technology in tourism activities in the period of 2021-2025.

According to Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism Ms. Dang Huong Giang, the tourism industry contributed 12.54% to Hanoi’s GDP in 2019, which dropped to only 3.54% of GDP in 2020.

The signing ceremony of the joint program on improving the efficiency of information, promotion and application of information technology in Hanoi’s tourism activities. Photo: Trong Dat

To deal with the situation, in addition to perform digital transformation and IT application, the Department of Tourism will organize many activities to stimulate demand and promote the city's tourism industry.

Ms. Giang said that tourist firms are now ready to go digital which will help businesses save on spending and provide better services for tourists.

The Hanoi authorities are very supportive of digital transformation and building a green, clean, friendly, safe, attractive tourist environment that brings unforgettable experiences to attract visitors.

Director of the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Liem. Photo: Trong Dat

Director of the Hanoi Department of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Liem said that being aware of the importance of the capital's tourism industry, his agency proposed to shoulder part of the responsibility in promoting the image of the city and help the Hanoi Department of Tourism in digital transformation.

Currently, 25 free WiFi hotspots have been set up at popular tourist destinations in Hanoi. Hanoi will set up nine more free WiFi hotspots in 2021.

These efforts are made to give tourists the best experience when traveling in the capital city, said Liem.

Trong Dat

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