Luxury Travel Vietnam has received the prestigious Guide Awards 2008 for excellent performance in 2007 – 2008. The Ninth Annual Awards ceremony will be held on 11 -12 July 2008 in Dalat, the heart of Vietnam’s central highlands.
The Guide Awards are sponsored annually by the executive of the Vietnam Economic Times to celebrate the best products and services in the tourism and hospitality sector in Vietnam.
This is the first year that Luxury Travel has won this award. Winners of the annual The Guide Awards were selected based on votes by Vietnam Economic Times readers, and the organizing board under stringent criteria of the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism and Vietnam Economic Times. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh, former Deputy President of Vietnam, is the Honorary President of the The Guide Awards.
Vietnam Economic Times magazine, which includes The Guide Magazine, is one of the country’s leading economic, travel, leisure and lifestyle publications. Launched in 1992, it now has four different versions distributed in Europe, Asia and America. All versions poll their readers annually to select the best companies from 10 industries. Luxury Travel has emerged as the first and best for luxury travel and tourism Vietnam and Asia. The Guide Award is the most prestigious award given by the Vietnamese tourism industry.
According to Mr. Pham Ha, Founder/CEO of Luxury Travel Vietnam: “Once considered a backpacker’s destination, Vietnam is now attracting luxury travelers. Our company is the first high-end tour operator, and we hope to serve more upscale travelers coming to our country. We are determined to create the most unforgettable travel experiences for high-end tourists. This recent award has been very encouraging for our staff.”
“While the concept of luxury travel is elegance, sophistication, service excellence and unique experiences, luxury travel more than just sightseeing. That’s why Luxury Travel Co. has travel agents standing by and ready to help our guests with all their personal travel needs. We take great pride in the level of knowledge and training that Luxury Travel’s agents receive in order to become a truly legitimate luxury travel advisor. We look forward to sharing that experience with you,” adds Nguyen Cuu Hung, Sales and Marketing Manager.
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said it has increased the number of hotel rooms from 57,000 in 1998 to 140,000 last year, but the authority conceded it will not be enough to meet the overall increasing demand, nor the expectations of international visitors seeking luxury accommodations. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam face the serious shortage of luxury hotels.
There are only 25 five-star hotels and 74 four-star properties in a country where tourism is booming. The Nam Hai, one of GHM properties in 2007, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake opened its doors to guests in December 2007. Hyatt, Four Seasons, and Raffles… are finding their way to Vietnam.
Last year, domestic wealthy travelers increased dramatically. Vietnam received 4.2 million international tourists. The administration has a 2010 target of reaching six million international tourists, up from a target of five million in 2008.