New wonder of the world demands a new premium

 

Indeed, prepare to budget a significant amount for your trip. The local authorities have increased tour prices, with many rates rising by at least 100%. Additionally, routes are no longer bundled together, leading to separate charges for each, and in some cases, raising total costs by as much as 300%. This adjustment is expected to gradually impact the pricing of complete tour packages, although not at a proportionate rate.

 

 

Ha Long - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of The World

 

The price hike took many tour operators and visitors by surprise. It went into effect on December 1, 2024, with little advance notice, causing significant frustration among stakeholders. Analysts predict that the quality of services will remain unchanged despite the steep price increase.

 

Officials have defended the increase, asserting that the newly acclaimed "natural wonder of the world" needs to cater to "higher class" travelers and that increased funds are necessary for environmental preservation. However, no specific plans for how these funds will be utilized for conservation efforts have been detailed, although environmentalists have long expressed concern about the negative impacts of uncontrolled tourism in the bay.

 

 

Cruise - a great way to enjoy the beauty of Ha Long Bay

 

Ha Long Bay, already recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, was recently celebrated in the global poll for the "New 7 Wonders of Nature." This voting was facilitated by the New7Wonders Foundation, which promotes awareness and conservation of nature. While UNESCO prefers to distance itself from such initiative, it has expressed a cautious stance towards private competitions in the past, noting concerns regarding the validity of some earlier projects led by similar organizations.