A group of 20 travel companies who joined forces to offer discount package tours say the promotion has tripled customer numbers.

The travel companies, who are participating in the government’s “Impressive Vietnam” tourism stimulus campaign, have offered discounts of up to 40 percent on package tours since February 20, Young Generation Travel Company Deputy Director Tran The Dung said on Sunday.

The travel companies involved in the campaign include Young Generation, the Saigontourist Travel Service Company, Tan Dinh Trade and Travel Service Company and the Saigon Petroleum Service Corporation.

The companies were able to offer the discount tour packages after flag carrier Vietnam Airlines offered certain travel agencies discounts on airfares of up to 60 percent.

Budget airline Jetstar Pacific has also released 50,000 cheap tickets while Indochina Airlines has offered discounts of up to 40 percent to tour operators.

But the number of domestic tourist traveling by road and rail has hardly changed since the Impressive Vietnam campaign was launched, with road and rail tours only discounted by 10 to 15 percent.

Dung said the 20 companies in the campaign were negotiating with 200 hotels, resorts, food and transport service providers for discounts of 20 to 30 percent for the remainder of this year.

The discount package tours are available until May 31, except for the long weekend that includes the April 30 and May 1 public holidays.

More information is available at www.promotours.gov.vn