Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Mosthotels and resorts in Vietnam would resume operations in May with attractivepromotions as the country was entering its post-pandemic recovery, said Mauro Gasparotti, Director of Savills Hotels Asia Pacific.

Thetourism market would become busy again in the next few months and hotels andresorts should adjust their price policies and promotion programmes to supportthe recovery, he said. Competition would be harsh, requiring hotel and resortoperators to race for exclusive experiences, innovations and promotions toattract tourists.

Maurosaid that the recovery would start when the social distancing measures began tobe loosened.

“Itis the local market that represents the first stage of recovery,” Mauro said.

Accordingto Savills, following the Vietnamese Government’s regulations on socialdistancing, the majority of hotels and resorts in Vietnam were closed but mostwere planning to reopen in May with attractive local promotions.

However,people were likely to remain sceptical about flying and the safety of crowdedairports so it might take a little longer to feel comfortable boarding planes,which bumped appeal for driving-distance destinations and making the likely short-termwinners places like Vung Tau, Ho Tram, Mui Ne, Ha Long, Da Lat andSa Pa.

Thesecond stage of recovery would be from overseas, once flight bans were liftedand connecting countries were considered safe.

Hesaid that China and the Republic of Korea would be the first to re-open becausethese were Vietnam’s main international guest source markets (accounting formore than 56 percent of total international arrivals in 2019) and seeing steepreductions of COVID-19 infections.

Headded that Vietnam’s already global reputation for being safe was alsoencouraging the return of foreign arrivals and helping increase nationalappeal.

Thefinal stage was when the pandemic was successfully over, and global tourismreturns to pre-COVID-19 travel policies.

“Oncetravel restrictions are fully lifted, we still see two major potential impacts:changes in traveller behaviour and the lingering effects of global economicslowdown, and both will require ongoing attention.”

“However,with the global economic impact and evolution of the virus still uncertain, wecannot realistically anticipate full recovery until well into 2021,” he said.

“Ouroutlook on Vietnam’s hospitality is unchanged, in fact seeing how the countrycomes together under crisis, it’s actually more positive,” Mauro said. “Theperception of Vietnam as a safe, value for money and naturally beautifuldestination are all major advantages post COVID-19 and confirms our belief theearliest possible recovery will happen right here.”/.