Higher airfares prompt new tourism plans

[VOVWORLD] - Higher airfares due to the global energy crisis make travelers more cautious and selective in planning their trips. As a result, tourism businesses also have to adapt and explore new directions.

Phu Quoc International Airport (Photo: VOV)

The surge in airfares has affected routes to and from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and other popular tourist routes that usually have affordable tickets. Market data show that on weekends or around holidays, domestic airfares rise sharply, reaching one and a half or even double the usual price. Many families have been adjusting their travel plans accordingly.

Le Ngoc Diep of Hanoi said destination choice now largely depends on airfares. “Our family planned a beach trip for the coming national holiday, but the airfares are too high, almost equal to the cost of accommodation. On popular routes such as Hanoi–Da Nang, one-way tickets range from 1 to 2 million VND, rising to 5 million VND during peak times. So we decided to take a shorter journey on a weekday instead of on the weekend to save money.”

Nguyen Phuong Lien, also from Hanoi, said: “Traveling now requires very careful planning. For a family of three or four, round-trip airfare can cost 8 to 10 million VND during peak periods. I book tickets early or on a weekday to get a better price. Otherwise, the cost is the same as for the accommodation, or even higher.”

Travel companies and tourists are having to adapt in response to the rising airfares. Nguyen Cong Hoan, Head of Communications and Digital Transformation at the Vietnam Tourism Association and CEO of Flamingo Redtours, said: “This year, rail travel is likely to become more popular. Previously, when airfares were low, we could enhance services such as hotels and entertainment. But now, when the customer’s budget is limited and airfares have risen sharply, we must adjust our services accordingly.”