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On January 15th, Phu Quoc International Airport reported that an average of 32-35 flights per day bring domestic and international tourists to Phu Quoc for sightseeing and relaxation. Domestic routes from Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc to Hanoi still have scheduled flights, but the number of domestic tourists visiting the island has not yet truly surged.
Foreign tourists flock to the area, while domestic tourists book few tours.
Mr. Du To Tuan, director of Vietravel's Rach Gia branch, reported that international tourists from countries such as South Korea, India, Thailand, and Mongolia are flocking to Phu Quoc. However, domestic tourists have not yet booked tours to Phu Quoc for the Lunar New Year holiday of 2024 because people are still hesitant about choosing a destination.
Mr. Tuan added that last year, domestic tourists planned to travel early for Tet. However, for the Lunar New Year of the Dragon 2024, there has been a change in customer behavior, and they are waiting due to the difficult economic situation; domestic tourists (families) tend to drive their own cars more often and book tours in advance less frequently.
"Some domestic tourists are hesitant to travel during peak seasons like holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), fearing high costs. Some only choose to buy tours that include accommodation or sightseeing. Now, I think it's difficult to predict; sometimes there will be a boom during Tet, and sometimes they will spread their travel thinly," Mr. Tuan said.
Phu Quoc forest exploration tours have become a popular choice for many tourists.
Ms. Lam Thi Diem Tram, director of Phu Quoc Island Tourism and Events Company Limited, also said that domestic tourists booking tours and itineraries with her company to experience and visit Phu Quoc during this Tet holiday have not increased significantly because they are mostly family groups.
"This Tet holiday, we're also launching many tours and itineraries to explore Phu Quoc, such as: deep-sea big game fishing tours, exploring Rach Vem - Ham Rong Cape combined with stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, and tours to explore Phu Quoc National Park. These tours will cater to mid-range to luxury travelers with preferential prices ranging from 500,000 to 3.6 million VND per person per tour," Ms. Tram said.
The government, businesses, and the people work together to develop tourism.
To attract domestic and international tourists, Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh - chairman of the Kien Giang Tourism Association - said that Phu Quoc not only needs new, unique, and impressive tourism products, but also needs a combined strength from the locality, with businesses and people working together to develop tourism.
Through this, the locality will properly promote Phu Quoc tourism, attracting visitors to come and play.
The Kien Giang Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center announced that the locality will soon organize a tourism week in Phu Quoc to introduce, promote and exploit diverse tourism products such as: spiritual, historical and tourism associated with water sports activities, mountain and forest exploration, and welcoming visitors.
Domestic tourists are still visiting Phu Quoc, but the number hasn't truly "boomed" as local tourism businesses had hoped.
Previously, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Kien Giang province, requested the Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center to strengthen its promotional and marketing efforts targeting potential markets such as India, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and some domestic markets, contributing to showcasing the positive image of Kien Giang's land and people.
"Kien Giang will focus its resources on fundamentally addressing waste management in Phu Quoc. The locality also needs to raise awareness among residents about maintaining public hygiene, selling at fair prices, and being friendly so that tourists can enjoy themselves comfortably and return in the future," Mr. Nhan said.
