Within the framework of the ongoing Asian Route Development Forum (Routes Asia) 2022 in Da Nang, many talk shows were organised on Tuesday. The majority of them were involved in such strategic issues as expediting the aviation recovery, tourism recovery trends in the future, new aviation demand and trends in the Asia-Pacific region, 

Businesses learning about investment and cooperation information at the Asian aviation and tourism exhibition which is part of a series of Routes Asia 2022's events. Photo: THU HA

Tourism recovery trends

That was amongst issues of deep concern catching much attention from many speakers at the aforementioned talk shows.

During a meeting on promoting route development, five trends attracted a great interest from participating speakers. They were worldwide industries, top trends for airlines, sustainable development, cargo transportation, and increased support for airlines during the post-COVID-19 recovery process.

The speakers said that tourism had shown positive signs of recovery but was also affected by the world situation such as rising fuel prices, and a shortage of human resources. Therefore, they stressed the necessity to find solutions in order to limit such impacts as increasing online distribution channels, in tandem with carrying out support programmes, and incentives for airlines.

One of the talk shows that attracted much attention of many delegates as well as speakers was the "Vietnam case study".

Speaking at the event, Director of the Tourism Promotion Centre Nguyen Thi Hoai An revealed that as for its market development orientation, Da Nang put top priority to restoring inbound tourist market because of a large number of customers.

She added the city’s traditional tourist markets were South Korea, China and Japan. Besides, Thailand was also a fast growing market. This year, Da Nang planned to soon reconnect with traditional tourist markets and targeted the potential Indian market which was having an active opening-up policy and had great potential in the commercial and travel sectors.

Mrs. An said in 2019, Da Nang welcomed 31 direct international flights with the frequency of more than 500 flights per week. By 2024, Da Nang aimed to resume the number and frequency of international flights as before COVID-19.

“In the immediate future, we need a direct connection (via regular or charter flights) to potential markets to facilitate the opening of air services to such markets as India and Indonesia. However, Da Nang lacks routes to international flight hubs to better connect with European and American markets. It is expected that by late 2022 and early 2023, we will have positive feedback from airlines to take the lead in these markets” said Mrs. Hoai An.

Also at the event, Mr. Dinh Viet Son, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam, said that Viet Nam has many opportunities for its aviation sector to make a breakthrough after COVID-19. He explained the main reason that the S-shaped country was assessed as a safe destination for travellers and an attractive investment destination for investors by the international community thanks to its political and social stability.

Moreover, Viet Nam has created a roadmap to promote route development from soon reopening international routes to dropping the COVID-19 test requirement for visitors entering the country, and restoring Visa exemption policies for citizens from 13 countries as before the pandemic, including Western European countries.

He underlined, up to now, domestic air transport activities have reached nearly the same level as before COVID-19 when there are a daily average of more than 100 flights connecting Da Nang with Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, and Buon Ma Thuot.

For the international market, Vietnamese and foreign airlines have resumed international flights connecting Da Nang with Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul and Daegu (South Korea). In early July, Da Nang plans to resume its air service with Japan’s Tokyo, add new airlines and raise the frequency on existing routes.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam is still accepting proposals relating to the resumption of Vietnamese and foreign airlines-operated international routes to or from Da Nang.

Towards green - sustainable tourism development

According to Mrs. Jayne Davey, Director of the ASM Australasia Route Development Consultants, the rapid development of the tourism industry caused significant impacts on the environment. Notably, carbon dioxide emissions produced from aviation activities and at accommodation establishments are one of issues of great concern to develop a sustainable tourism industry.

Over the past few years, many airlines have made commitments and strategies to reduce carbon emissions by using sustainable fuel sources, and developing carbon capture and storage technologies.

Sharing the same point of view, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Phuong, Deputy General Director of the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV), said aviation units were towards environmentally friendly development.

Currently, ACV is also an active member of the international airport council, and actively gets involved in the zero carbon programme for airports. This is a journey that requires determination from all participating departments.

President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines Le Hong Ha expressed that in order to stand firm in the competitive market, it is necessary to choose the right strategy by offering 4 different segments to meet the diverse needs of customers.

He also underlined the need to develop new digital programmes and human resources, and build a clear and effective organisational structure.

At the same time, importance will be attached to developing environmentally friendly products, proposing a fuel-saving programme to minimise negative impacts on the environment.

According to Jay L Lingeswara, Commercial Director of Vietjet Air (Vietjet Air), after a long time of being affected by the pandemic, the airline better understood the airport requirements of different countries. Therefore, it was making every effort to resume existing routes and develop new ones by promoting the IT application.

Reporting by THU HA, MAI QUE - Translating by M.DUNG