From November 5 to November 24, 2024, Cam Ranh International Airport witnessed a record-breaking number of international passengers, with 686 flights and over 120,894 international visitors. This remarkable feat signifies the robust recovery of Khanh Hoa’s tourism industry, particularly the beach city destination of Nha Trang. The influx of international travelers from various countries, notably South Korea, China, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia, has created a positive wave in the tourism sector.
Notably, South Korea took the lead with 433 flights and 75,495 passengers, while China, a key tourism market, accounted for 31,349 visitors, as recorded by the Pacific-Asia Tourism Corporation (IPPG).
Mr. Pham Thanh Son, CEO of Cam Ranh International Terminal JSC, attributed the recent surge in Chinese tourists to attractive pricing. He also emphasized their readiness to accommodate the unexpected surge in passenger numbers, recalling that the terminal served 6.5 million passengers in 2018 and is well-equipped to handle up to 8 million passengers annually.
Photo: Mr. Pham Thanh Son, CEO of Cam Ranh International Terminal JSC.
In fact, this strong recovery in tourism and aviation has been anticipated and prepared for by various stakeholders. Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of IPPG, recently shared his insights, highlighting that 2025 will be a boom year for Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam, and immediate plans are in place to cater to their duty-free shopping needs.
IPPG, the largest shareholder of Cam Ranh International Terminal, has proactively signed a memorandum of understanding with China Duty Free, China’s largest duty-free corporation. As per the agreement, China Duty Free (CDFG) has committed to bringing a significant number of Chinese tourists to Vietnam, expected to reach tens of millions annually.
Photo: Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, Chairman of IPPG.
Mr. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen shared that CDFG has been working closely with IPPG to establish Duty Fee shops in Vietnam. He commended their efficiency and swiftness in setting up these shops, noting that they spent seven months studying locations, shop sizes, and collaborating with various parties to ensure a seamless shopping experience for their customers.
IPPG has also been in discussions with Vietnam Airlines to arrange additional seating and coordinate with foreign airlines to accommodate the influx of tens of thousands of tourists.
“With the influx of Chinese tourists, a market with high purchasing power, we anticipate remarkable growth in the tourism industry. This also presents an opportunity for Vietnam Airlines to increase flights and cater to the transportation needs of up to 10 million Chinese tourists annually,”
he emphasized.
