According to the Kien Giang Province Tourism Department, Phu Quoc welcomed 3.3 million visitors in the first half of 2024, a modest increase of 1% from the same period last year. Notably, international arrivals reached nearly 500,000, a significant surge of 44% year-on-year, accounting for almost 75% of the plan. Revenue is estimated at over VND 11,200 billion, a healthy 26% jump from the previous year, and nearing 66% of the plan.
“These statistics don’t fully reflect the rebound of Phu Quoc’s tourism industry,” said Ms. Le Thi Hai Chau, Secretary-General of the Phu Quoc Tourism Development Association. She attributed this to the fact that the same period last year witnessed a freeze in tourism activities on the island.
Phu Quoc witnessed an improvement in visitor numbers in the first half of 2024.
Mr. Bui Quoc Thai, Director of Kien Giang Tourism Department, shared that the tourism sector has been actively promoting and marketing the destination in various provinces and cities within Vietnam, as well as in key international markets such as India, Cambodia, and the UK. Upcoming promotional activities will target potential visitors in Taiwan and South Korea.
Additionally, Phu Quoc has been attracting business delegations and familiarization trips from different countries, allowing them to experience the island’s diverse products and services offerings.
“To capitalize on the upcoming high season for international tourists, Kien Giang will host a range of tourism events and activities from now until the end of the year,” said Mr. Thai. These include Phu Quoc Tourism Week, welcoming ceremonies for international flights, and sporting events like the BIM Group IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc and Sunrise Sprint. These events are expected to draw a significant number of international visitors to Phu Quoc.
In another positive development, Vietnamese airlines have been establishing new international routes to Phu Quoc. Specifically, in June, Vietjet Air launched two routes connecting Phu Quoc with the Taiwanese cities of Taichung and Kaohsiung.
The Phu Quoc-Taichung route, operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, commenced on June 13, while the Phu Quoc-Kaohsiung route, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, started on June 14.
Numerous international flights to Phu Quoc have been inaugurated.
Furthermore, Vietravel Airlines successfully operated its first flight connecting Taipei (Taiwan) and Phu Quoc, marking a significant step in its efforts to expand its international network to Vietnam’s key source markets in 2024.
Phu Quoc Tourism Faced Challenges in 2023
In the previous year, Phu Quoc’s tourism industry encountered significant challenges, with many businesses incurring losses. During the 2023 April 30 holiday, Phu Quoc was among the few domestic destinations that experienced a decline in visitor numbers compared to the previous year. Over the five-day holiday, the island welcomed approximately 112,000 visitors, an 11.5% drop, with total revenue falling by 24% to around VND 132.5 billion. The occupancy rate stood at nearly 60%.
The situation remained challenging during the September 2 holiday in 2023, with Phu Quoc recording a nearly 40% drop in visitor numbers compared to the same period in 2022. The occupancy rate plummeted to just 27%. Experts attributed these declines to factors such as high airfares, declining tourism service quality, and high prices.
At that time, Mr. Huynh Quang Hung, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc City, emphasized the need for reasonable airfare pricing and called for joint efforts to ensure food safety, environmental protection, and security, thereby enhancing visitor confidence.
Phu Quoc became Vietnam’s first island city in 2021, upgraded from its previous status as a district.
Phu Quoc is envisioned as a high-quality tourism and resort center with distinct characteristics.
According to the Phu Quoc City Master Plan until 2040, the island is poised to become an island-ocean city, a high-quality tourism and resort center with distinct characteristics, and a strong appeal to both domestic and international visitors. It will also serve as a commercial, service, and healthcare center, leveraging advanced technology, with regional and international recognition.
Phu Quoc is envisioned as an attractive island-ocean city, meeting the standards of a first-class urban area, with a unique and high-quality tourism and resort ecosystem. It will serve as a commercial and service hub with regional and international recognition and a healthcare and wellness center utilizing advanced technology.
Vietjet achieves 62.5 trillion VND in revenue, a strong increase compared to last year.
Vietjet aviation joint stock company (HOSE: VJC) proudly announces robust revenue growth for the year 2023, pioneering the expansion of international air network, driving the recovery and development of tourism, investment, domestic and regional trade.
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