Vu The Binh, Director of the Travel Department under VNAT, said that a big promotion programme will be launched which will be valid across the country.

VNAT has asked travel firms and hotels to sign agreements on slashing tour fees and hotel service fees with the maximum reduction of 50%. Other service providers like shopping centres and restaurants also have to cut prices.

According to Binh, the case that travel firms will cut service fees but other service providers will not, will not happen with the promotion programme.

Binh said that though air travel is considered a special field, VNAT will intervene so that air carriers will also have to join promotion programmes. He said reductions could be as high as 50%

“State management authorities will heavily discipline companies which do not fulfill their commitments,” Binh said.

The tourism administration is going to launch a campaign on advertising Vietnam’s tourism images over the mass media, including the Internet, newspapers, and through the organisation of big events.

VNAT and travel firms have created 99 tours with discount fees for international travellers from five big markets: Japan, ASEAN, France and West Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand. The involved parties are designing further discounts for 60 other tours.

On January 21, the prime minister signed a decision approving a 50% VAT cut for travel, transport and hotel services. Other companies operating in fields related to tourism will enjoy a 30% corporate income tax reduction.

On February 6, Vietnam received Legend of the Sea cruise, Bahamas nationality, carrying 1,800 foreign tourists, at Phu My port on the port’s debut day.