On the afternoon of November 14, the People's Committee of Phu Quoc City held a conference on civilized behavior in all types of transportation, food services and communication with tourists coming to Phu Quoc City.
Strictly handle the case of assisting and taking money from tourists
12 opinions from businesses, travel agencies, shipping companies, and service vehicles in Phu Quoc City discussed directions to stimulate tourism: civilized behavior; how to pay commissions to drivers, service prices, environmental pollution issues, and especially soliciting customers at the wharfs and Phu Quoc night markets still...
Tourism businesses hope that Phu Quoc will have unique festivals and tourism products imbued with local cultural identity.
Ms. Lam Kim Phuong - Director of Vietravel Phu Quoc branch - said that Phu Quoc tourism still has its limitations, especially the situation of soliciting customers at Phu Quoc night market. This makes tourists very hesitant when coming to this place to visit and eat.
"We think the local government needs to step in to handle the above problem to create a good image when tourists come here to visit and have fun," Ms. Phuong said.
Resort in Phu Quoc
Mr. Truong Cong Tam - Chairman of the Phu Quoc City Professional Tour Guide Association - said that commissions for tour guides and drivers are 20 - 35% in some places; some food service establishments have listed prices but those items are unreasonably high, doing business like that will affect the image of Phu Quoc tourism.
Localities need to have inspection teams to closely monitor local tour guides. Any unit or individual who commits a mistake will be severely punished. For tour guides who collude and take money from tourists, the locality will take action to revoke their cards.
"Strict punishment will serve as a warning to many people. Tour guides and drivers will not dare to make mistakes. Tourists coming to Phu Quoc will feel safe and friendly," Mr. Tam added.
Phu Quoc will check the real prices of items served to customers.
Mr. Huynh Thanh Minh - Head of the Economic Department of Phu Quoc City - said that from July 2022 to now, the locality has received 10 phone calls from tourists reflecting on the behavior of tourism businesses towards customers.
The locality wants tourism and travel service businesses and related units to develop civilized codes of conduct to create goodwill in the eyes of tourists. Tour guides and drivers especially should not help to illegally take money from tourists.
According to Mr. Minh, the locality will strengthen cooperation with the People's Committees of communes and wards to check prices and protect tourists. At the wharf and airport, drivers need to behave civilly with customers.
Local authorities will check the real value of the items served to customers. Food and beverage services must list prices and sell at the correct prices. Tourists who encounter incorrect prices can call the hotline posted on the Phu Quoc City People's Committee portal to report the situation for timely support.
Phu Quoc Sunset
Mr. Doan Van Tien - Vice Chairman of Phu Quoc City People's Committee - said that during the April 30 to September 2 holiday, the number of tourists to Phu Quoc decreased significantly.
Phu Quoc tourism is now gradually recovering. The number of international visitors to Phu Quoc is also more bustling. In recent days, about 24,000 international and domestic tourists have come to Phu Quoc; over 20,000 have stayed on the island.
Phu Quoc City People's Committee assigned the Economic Department to coordinate with relevant departments to organize meetings twice a year to listen to businesses' opinions, and together find solutions to overcome difficulties and develop local tourism.
"Businesses should sit together with the same mindset and then take action, creating unique tourism products, contributing to the sustainable development of Phu Quoc tourism. The locality will strictly handle the existing problems of soliciting customers and selling at high prices so that customers can feel secure when coming to Phu Quoc to have fun," said Mr. Tien.
The super music concert 8Wonder Winter Festival with the participation of legendary band Maroon 5 and 6 famous Vietnamese artists will take place on December 16 at Phu Quoc United Center.
This is the highlight event in the series of "festivals of festivals" Wake Up Festival, which is bustling non-stop from December 9 to January 7, 2024 in the north of the island, with the Wake Up New Year countdown music festival, taking place on December 31 at the Love Lake stage (Grand World) with hundreds of shows, fun and entertainment activities day and night such as the Gondola noble boat racing festival, Copenhagen food festival and fair, Christmas gala, New Year party, Wake up Santa parade festival...
