With tourism activities in the process of gradually recovering, the southern province of Kien Giang aims to welcome 5.6 million tourists, including 200,000 foreign arrivals this year.
According to the Kien Giang Tourism Association, tourism activities in Phu Quoc city return to a "new normal" state with the island city receiving approximately 30 flights a day.
All passengers are required to have a COVID-19 recovery certificate within six months or be fully vaccinated, while children must show a negative test before departure.
Tran Van Tho, head of the Culture and Information Department under Phu Quoc People's Committee, said that the locality is therefore ready to welcome visitors and gear up to optimistic signs ahead for the local tourism industry this year.
At present, Phu Quoc is home to roughly 55 travel firms with 25,000 hotel rooms, of which more than 10,000 rooms fully meet five-star standards.
All residents and workers in the city have been fully vaccinated, with plans to administer booster shots being deployed.
Nguyen Vu Khac Huy, vice chairman of Kien Giang Tourism Association, has made projections about the increasing demand for travel with the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet, drawing near. This is being done while advising tourists to book in advance as four and five-star standard facilities are often fully booked during Tet.
Truong Cong Tam, chairman of the Phu Quoc Tour Guide Association, said that 80% of its members are local people and ready to welcome visitors, adding that the qualifications of tour guides have been greatly improved as a means of meeting the travel demand of tourists and businesses.
Tam revealed that Phu Quoc National Park’s trekking tour is currently the latest tourism product in the island city, with tourists having the opportunity to select the mountain climbing and forest route, or the trekking route of Rach Vem - Ham Rong cape, depending on their needs and physical conditions.
The Kien Giang Tourism Association will host a tourism promotion programme aimed at introducing various tours and fresh tourism products to visitors for the Lunar New Year, Tam added.