The famtrip event “Journey to Paradise Island” from December 4-6, 2024 has brought Phu Quoc to the center of attention of the world tourism industry. The participation of more than 70 representatives from famous airlines, travel agencies, and online travel platforms not only proves the attraction of the Pearl Island but also offers advice and suggests new directions for Phu Quoc to rise to become one of the world-class destinations. 
The "surreal" fireworks show that lit up the night sky in Phu Quoc attracted thousands of spectators.
Why is Phu Quoc attracting special attention? The presence of large businesses such as KKday, Klook, Pegas Touristik, Crystal Bay, Anex, Accor & Ennismore, Rixos Hotels, and airlines such as Starlux, SCAT, Vietnam Airlines, and Thai Vietjet shows that Phu Quoc is becoming the center of the regional tourism industry. According to experts, the main reason lies in the remarkable development and great potential that the Pearl Island possesses. Ms. Weichun Liu, CEO of KKday, shared: “I came here for the first time in 2022 and was really impressed with the Hon Thom sea-crossing cable car project. This time back, Phu Quoc has completely changed with a tightly connected tourism ecosystem. From high-end hotels, shows, to night markets, everything is ready to attract global tourists.” Not only that, Phu Quoc also possesses all the elements of a world-class destination with stunning natural landscapes, modern infrastructure and innovative tourism products. Mr. Nguyen Huy Hoang, CEO of Klook Vietnam, commented: “Phu Quoc has now gone beyond the image of a destination that only depends on natural beauty. New tourism products such as the Kiss of the Sea show, Sun World Hon Thom water park, or VUI-Fest night market have brought new vitality to Phu Quoc tourism, turning this place into a comprehensive destination.”
 |
Phu Quoc has many new unique tourism products, including the Sun Bavaria GastroPub beer restaurant, where visitors can eat while watching the Symphony of the Sea show. |
The constant innovation is also the reason why Phu Quoc has become an ideal choice for international businesses to cooperate. Ms. Agnes Roquefort, Director of Global Development of Accor Luxury & Lifestyle, affirmed: “Phu Quoc has great potential thanks to the combination of both vibrant and relaxing elements. With strong investment in the tourism ecosystem, we are very confident in the future of this destination”.
What “key” will help Phu Quoc make a “leap”? Although possessing many competitive advantages, Phu Quoc still has some points that need to be overcome to become a leading destination in the world. One of the biggest problems today is the lack of synchronous infrastructure and support services. Mr. Ben Chang - Director of Starlux Vietnam branch said: “To attract international tourists, Phu Quoc needs to develop more utilities such as international hospitals and public transport systems. In addition, ride-hailing services such as Grab or GrabFood also need to be more popular to increase convenience for tourists”. The issue of promotion was also mentioned by experts. Mr. Abdullah Cankaya, Vice President of Pegas Touristik Asia - Pacific, commented: "Phu Quoc needs a stronger marketing strategy to approach new markets such as Central Asia or Eastern Europe. This is very important to turn Phu Quoc from a regional destination to a global destination". Along with that, Ms. Weichun Liu emphasized the importance of visa policy: "Visa exemption has helped Phu Quoc easily attract international visitors, especially from markets such as Korea and Taiwan. However, this policy needs to be maintained and expanded to increase attractiveness, especially for potential markets".
 |
Phu Quoc attracts more international visitors from many countries. |
The future of the “Oriental Hawaii” To address the above issues, businesses and experts have proposed specific solutions to help Phu Quoc develop more sustainably and comprehensively. Building its own identity is the solution that Mr. Abdullah Cankaya recommends: “Phu Quoc does not need to compete directly with Maldives or Hawaii, but should develop its own unique identity, focusing on natural elements, culture and the friendliness of the people.” Sharing the same view, Mr. Starlux added the need to increase air connectivity: “We have increased the number of direct flights from Taiwan to Phu Quoc to 10 flights per week. In the future, the frequency of flights will increase further.” Positioning the green island brand is what Mr. Nguyen Huy Hoang - CEO of Klook Vietnam emphasized: “Positioning Phu Quoc as a green, clean, sustainable island not only helps attract nature-loving guests but also builds a long-term brand.” Sharing about the future of Phu Quoc, Mr. Francois Boudin, representative of Rixos Hotels, said that the new tourism products in Phu Quoc are not only diverse but also of international standard, creating a strong attraction. “Rixos Phu Quoc – the first all-inclusive resort in Southeast Asia – will not only enhance the resort experience but also contribute to extending the average length of stay of visitors,” Mr. Francois Boudin affirmed.
 |
In the future, Pearl Island will have Rixos Phu Quoc - a luxury resort with a multi-experience package model (All-Inclusive). |
“Sun Paradise Land is a prime example of a comprehensive tourism development model that combines relaxation, entertainment and healthcare. This is the direction that world-class destinations need to pursue,” added Ms. Agnes Roquefort. Phu Quoc’s development is evidenced by impressive growth figures. In 2024, the Pearl Island is expected to welcome nearly 6 million visitors, including nearly 1 million international visitors – an increase of 73.4% over the previous year. More than 4,000 international flights have landed in Phu Quoc, an increase of 175% over 2023. Ms. Weichun Liu commented: “Products such as over-sea cable cars, high-class shows, and high-class hotels have made Phu Quoc surpass all expectations of international visitors. I believe that the average length of stay will continue to increase as new products are completed.”
 |
The world's longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island is one of the most popular tourist experiences in Phu Quoc. |
With thorough investment, strategic vision and the support of international businesses, Phu Quoc is gradually realizing its ambition to become a global destination. Experts agree that if this development momentum is maintained, Phu Quoc will not only be on par with Hawaii or the Maldives but also become a new symbol of Vietnamese tourism. Mr. Sam Chen, Deputy General Director of Hoang Tra Company, has high expectations for the future of tourism on the pearl island: “Phu Quoc Island is a new tourism product, with future development and people-oriented. The island represents adventure and new experiences. When the media spreads more, Phu Quoc will certainly attract the attention of tourists and become a hot tourism product”. “We believe that Phu Quoc not only has potential but also a very bright future. This is the reason why we are committed to long-term companionship on the Pearl Island”, concluded Ms. Agnes Roquefort. Perspectives from the world's leading tourism businesses show that Phu Quoc is gradually breaking through and reaching out to the world. With thorough investment, sustainable development strategies and support from international businesses, Phu Quoc promises to not only become the "Hawaii of the East" but also a new symbol of global tourism.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/chia-khoa-nao-giup-phu-quoc-tao-buoc-nhay-de-tro-thanh-diem-den-toan-cau-post850805.html 
Comment (0)