Vietnam Tourism Sector Should Seek Upscale Tourists.

The Luxury Travel Company is Vietnams first luxury tour company and full travel service agency. Luxury Travel is experienced in providing special services and unique tourism products to luxury global travelers.

According to data released by International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), the top 3% of tourists spends 20% of total tourism expenditure. Applying this analogy on Vietnam incoming tourism, where the average spend per tourist is around $750, it means that the top 3% has an average spend of approximately $5.000. Evidently, this 3% is a very significant segment of the tourist market, particularly considering its upward trend. What are the practical implications for Vietnam tourism and how can it position itself to make the best out of it? How can we approach this market that, compared to the mass market, is immune to the business cycle. What are the requirements of luxury travelers? Luxury travelers have particular requirements and are people with time and money for their holidays. They are usually FITs and not group travelers, seek qualitative experiences and demand personal and confidential service. They often have requirements that, to the average person, seem absurd but which should be evaluated in relation to the amounts spent for their acquisition. Recent statistics from VNAT have shown that Vietnam’s tourist arrivals by group mostly from China, Japan and South Korean, and ASEAN countries. Of course Vietnam tourism sector should target the high-end tourists from traditional tourism markets, but should focus on the Western European as American countries which are seeking luxury travel. Ha Pham, founder and CEO of the Luxury Travel Company explained that travelers are seeking to holiday in style and that Vietnam has potential to capture that market by selling niche products rather than “sell the same tourism products since 10 years ago”. He added, “Golfing, spa, beach vacation, family travel, junk and sampan cruises, honeymoon and romance moved up to the top notch and favorites for upscale travelers. Vietnam’s appeal is vast” Luxury Travel Company believes that Vietnam’s tourism sector should promote Vietnam as an upscale destination, where products and services must be developed to cater for that niche market. In the coming time, Vietnam will host many international events such as the ASEAN tourism forum 2009. This will be a good chance to advertise Vietnam image to international tour operators and visitiors. VNAT target to lure 8 millions in 2010. Notes to Editors Luxury Travel Co., Ltd. (Vietnam) is a 100% fully registered and privately-owned Vietnamese company. It was founded by luxury travel specialists since the 1990s when Vietnam had just opened its doors to worldwide tourism. The Luxury Travel Company is Vietnam’s first luxury tour company and full travel service agency. Luxury Travel is experienced in providing special services and unique tourism products to luxury global travelers. Luxury Travel Company's main business activities - luxury inbound/outbound operator, luxury adventures, custom tours, romance, wellness and spa, MICE, family travel and private travel arrangements for VIP stars, celebrities, Royal and Government clientele, private jet and yacht cruises...nothing is impossible in the whole luxury meaning. The company's depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations. Last year, the company served 10,000 satisfied customers. Among Luxury Travel’s clients are ambassadors, senators, Russian millionaires, CEOs and presidents of Oman Oil Company, royalty and Oman Royal Government ministers, French ministers, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada…and others. Luxury Travel operates two brands – Luxury Travel and Premium Travel, both for high-end travelers who are inbound and outbound. They are both registered by the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam. Luxury Travel is a member of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), American Association of Travel Agents (ASTA), Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam E-Commerce Association (VECOM), Vietnam International Tour Operator Association (VITA). Luxury Travel has several locations throughout Vietnam. The Head Office is located in Hanoi. Branch offices are located in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Danang, Sapa and Nha Trang. All company operations are run by experienced, creative managers and guides. The Luxury Travel Team includes more than 50 people located throughout Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Luxury Travel has won numerous other awards in Vietnam including the most recent award: Vietnam’s Top Trade Service Awards 2007, Integration and Development Businesses Awards 2008, Cultural Entrepreneur Awards 2008, Excellent Performance - The Guide Awards 2007-2008, Vietnam’s Excellent Product and Service Awards 2008 and Most Nominated So Far for Vietnam’s Best Service Awards 2008. Luxury Travel is headquartered in Hanoi and has offices around Vietnam and management offices in Laos and Cambodia. It pioneered luxury tourism development in the early 2004 in Vietnam. Today, Luxury Travel boasts a 5-year industry track record and brands that are recognized nationally and worldwide.

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Luxury Travel Co., Ltd. (Vietnam) is a 100% fully registered and privately-owned Vietnamese company. It was founded by luxury travel specialists since the 1990s when Vietnam had just opened its doors to worldwide tourism.