Pinning Moderate Hopes on South Africa Tours

A surge in South Africa tours is not expected during the World Cup month although South Africa is a very attractive destination, according to Vietnamese travel companies.

Many tours to South Africa

Mr Ung Trong Tu, President of the Hanoi Travel Club, said: South Africa tours are designed for high-income travellers who can afford VND40-80 million. Thus, only big travel companies like Vietravel, Saigontourist, Fiditour Redtour, Viettour and Amistou can organise such outbound tours. Competitive strengths lie in the company’s financial capacity, ability to arrange tours and competitive price.

Ms Nguyen Thanh Mai, Director of Fiditour Tourist Company, said: Apart from designing attractive considerate tours, from smallest details like airport pickup, accommodation, football watching, football ticket, foods, etc. the company is trying to produce tours at most reasonable price rates.

According to Fiditour, an eight-day seven-night South Africa tour, staying at a four-star hotel, costs VND69.98 million per person (excluding tickets). Vietravel is offering South Africa – World Cup tour at VND86.69 million per person, which covers first-class, business and popular return air tickets, hotels from 2 to 5 stars in World Cup hosting cities and Double/Twin rooms. Saigontourist Travel Service Company is organising an eight-day seven-night tour at VND47.455 million per person, using double rooms (US$500 plus for single room). Tourists can watch the World Cup matches in South Africa and visit beauty spots in Johannesburg, Pretoria the administrative capital, Table Mountain, Cape Town, Sun City Resort – the most famous resort in South Africa with modern hotels, restaurants, casinos, shopping centres, water park, golf course, etc.

To attract tourists, Vietravel flexible designs tours which fit travellers’ time and budget. Fiditour presents interesting genuine FIFA balls to its customers. Amistour surprises outbound tourists with its low charge of US$1,999 per person (about VND38 million) on the Cape Town – Johannesburg route. Saigontourist presents the entire Chartis global insurance coverage of up to US$30,000 per person from just US$10,000 previously.

… but moderate expectations

Apart from discovery tours to Egypt, Europe and the U.S., South Africa is considered one of interesting unknown destinations. Besides, security was very good in South Africa since 2009 and quality of tours provided by Vietnamese companies was good.

However, according to Mr Nguyen Minh Man, Director of Communication Department, Vietravel Tourism Company, the company did not expect much in a sudden rise in Vietnamese outbound tourists during the World Cup because service fees are estimated to soar (a rise of nearly 100 % compared with Free & Easy service). Additionally, foreign companies hold many air bookings and football match tickets; thus, it is a disadvantage for far-lying countries like Vietnam.

Currently, several travel firms had to close their South Africa – World Cup 2010 tours because they cannot book rooms during the holiday. Nearly half a million visitors will arrive in major cities in South Africa like Sun City, Cape Town, Pretoria, causing hotel rooms to run out. Hence, Mr Nguyen Minh Man of Vietravel advised visitors to register soon to book accommodations and other services in South Africa at more reasonable prices.

VCCI

Tags: South Africa Tours, Vietnam Tourism