In 2000, Barry Israel, now 59, took over Danao Resorts in
Vietnam with properties in Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat and Phan Thiet.
Before that, as an international lawyer, he advised Asian countries
on their trade relations with the United States. He is considered
an expert on travel in Asia.
Q:Vietnam is a long way for most tourists. How hard is
it to get there?
A:San Francisco and Los Angeles are the best gateways, and
virtually every airline serving Asia offers flights into Ho Chi
Minh City or Hanoi through Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok
or Singapore. United Airlines recently launched direct service into
Ho Chi Minh City with a flight leaving San Francisco daily,
stopping in Hong Kong and then on to Vietnam.
Q:What percentage of your guests are
American?
A:It depends on the season and the property, but Americans make up
12 to 15 percent of our guests, and they come from all over the
U.S.
Q:How about the value of the dollar in Vietnam versus
other parts of Asia?
A:The exchange rate value is exceptional, maybe the best
in Asia. You can stay in a four- or five-star hotel in Vietnam for
what it would cost you to stay in a very basic hotel in the U.S. or
Europe. Vietnam also has great food: They pride themselves in fresh
food, fresh seafood, and the service is wonderful.
Q:Is the language barrier a problem?
A:Every child is taught English from the time they start school.
Schools teaching English to adults are everywhere. English is the
language of business and travel here now.
Q:Is Vietnam a safe destination for Americans?
A:It’s very safe. The government will never tolerate terrorism and
the Vietnamese want American tourists and businessmen.
Q:Were you affected by the tsunami?
A:No. The tsumani hit countries hundreds of miles away. I
got a lot of E-mails from friends asking if I was okay, but it
really had little impact on us. Whatever cancellations we had were
offset by travelers shifting to Vietnam.
Q:How about the bird flu? Is it a risk for
travelers?
A:No tourist has ever been infected in Vietnam. The disease
requires close contact with chickens in rural areas, and all the
major resorts are nowhere near chicken farms. And there’s no danger
at all in cooked chicken.
Q:What do you think tourism in Vietnam will look like in
10 years?
A:We believe that eco-tourism and golf are going to be the
target markets. Vietnam’s beautiful countryside and its mountains
offer interesting outdoor activities. And the huge coastline opens
virtually every kind of ocean activity to tourists. The government
is directing money into infrastructure. It’s building roads and
airports in all the key tourist destinations.
