An announcement to this effect was made by Mr. Vu The Binh of Travel Department during a conference on the tourism sector’s action programme, which took place in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on February 6.

Under the programme, VNAT will ask travel agencies and hotels to commit to reducing their prices by up to 50%, Mr. Binh said, adding that it will also call upon local airlines to participate in this campaign.

Other travel companies must also pledge to offer discounts, with VNAT vowing to punish those who do not honour their commitments.

In addition, VNAT will conduct a broader campaign to promote Vietnam via the Internet and other mass media, as well as hosting tourism events and festivals to encourage domestic tourism.

The VNAT is to launch a new range of tourism products and intensify tourism promotion activities.

According to Mr. Binh, VNAT has to date created 99 discounted package tours for tourists from countries including Japan, ASEAN, France, Western Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand. It also plans to launch an additional 60 competitively-priced domestic tours.

On January 21, the Prime Minister signed a decision regarding a 50%-VAT reduction for travel, transport and hotel businesses. VNAT also proposed a 30% cut in corporate income tax rates for businesses involved in the tourism sector.