VNBusinessNews – Representatives of 12 international travel agents, mainly from Germany, Austria and France, said on Wednesday they were happy with a familiarization trip to Vietnam organized by Vietravel, as they got to know better about the destination and country’s products and services for travelers.

Speaking at a function held on Wednesday at the office of Vietravel tour operator in HCMC’s District 3, several expressed their good thoughts about Vietnam’s landscapes and cultures and commited to bring tourists to the country.

The agents have been visiting Viet Nam from last Thursday and will wrap up their trip tomorrow after touring such beauty spots as Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and the Mekong Delta among others. Four of the 12 travel agents have been bringing tourists to Vietnam in collaboration with local tour operators.

“We are interested in what Viet Nam has to offer to our guests,” said Harald Muller, regional manager of German-based Altbayerisches Donaumoos, adding that the current economic woes did not have much impact on Germany’s travel agents.

Trinh Cong Tinh Thanh, deputy general director of Vietravel, said that the FAM trip this time was aimed to keep international agents informed of more and better services with cheaper prices in Viet Nam that are designed to adapt with the difficult situation.

However, at the function, some travel agents that already brought tourists to Viet Nam said that high-cost airline tickets, few direct flights from Europe to Viet Nam and poor infrastructure were obstacles in attracting tourists to Viet Nam.

They also suggested that Viet Nam seek to prompte the country’s image to residents in Europe and have more German-speaking tour guides. (SGT)