Da Nang's tourism industry, once considered very robust, is now struggling because of coronavirus outbreak. The  tourism industry has been hit hard by the second wave of Covid-19 infections since late July although it has yet to be fully recovered from the first pandemic wave, hereby disrupting the working life of tour guides, especially freelance tour guides.

Representatives from the Da Nang Tourism Association presenting in-kind gifts to staff who are on the front line in the city's fight against coronavirus.. Picture taken in August

Statistics released by the municipal Tour Guides' Association show that about 900 of its members lost their jobs the first pandemic wave. However, many tour guides have said that it has been difficult to access the Government support package for workers who lost their jobs due to Covid-19, as procedures are quite complex.

Chairman of the Association Vo Van Anh highlighted that the majority of freelance tour guides are struggling financially as a result of coronavirus because they are not eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

Chairman of the municipal Tourism Association Cao Tri Dung remarked that the tourism industry would be the worst affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and would take the longest time for revival. Mr Dung asked the national and municipal governments to take drastic actions to help tourism businesses avoid being dissolved or closed.

Mr Dung said the Da Nang Tourism Association has recently proposed its solutions to the Vietnamese government in a bid to help local tourism businesses get through this difficult time.

In particular, local tourism businesses should enjoy 50% value added tax (VAT) reduction, corporate income tax exemption at least by the end of this year, and reductions in their monthly electricity and water bills.

Also, favourable conditions should be created by banks and credit institutions to proactively reschedule debt payment deadlines, along with exempt and reduce interest rates and fees for tourism businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

By NHAT HA – Translated by M.D