Attracting tourists when Phan Thiet airport is available

Regarding tourism development in Vietnam in general, from the perspective of international passenger transport by air, according to statistics up to September 2023, the total number of passengers transported on international flights to and from Vietnam reached approximately 23.4 million, an increase of 2.5 times over the same period last year. The above data shows that the international passenger transport market is gradually recovering with more than 61 foreign regular airlines and 5 Vietnamese airlines operating along with over 147 international routes connecting 28 countries and territories to 6 destinations in Vietnam. According to the 2023 Winter Flight Schedule (from October 29, 2023 to March 30, 2024), domestic and international airlines have developed exploitation plans associated with tourist markets.

In addition to the destinations of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, famous tourist destinations such as Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Da Lat also receive great attention from key international tourist markets with operating airlines. Identifying key tourist markets, Vietnam has signed 67 bilateral aviation agreements and 9 multilateral aviation agreements with countries and territories. The agreements have created a complete legal basis, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese and foreign airlines to operate international flights to and from Vietnam. Currently, when key tourist markets have been reopened to welcome tourists such as China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, France, especially emerging tourist markets such as India, Australia, Vietnamese airlines have gradually increased the frequency of operations to the above markets, meeting the travel needs of tourists. Phan Thiet Airport is expected to receive over 2 million passengers per year according to its designed capacity. In addition, Phan Thiet Airport is being implemented in sync with a series of other inter-regional transport infrastructures, namely the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay - Phan Thiet - Nha Trang expressway.

Unlike famous tourist destinations such as Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Da Nang, Binh Thuan tourism still has many undiscovered beauties. Synchronously implementing transport and logistics infrastructure projects is an opportunity for the province's tourism to take off. The above reality shows that when the travel time to Binh Thuan is shortened, the number of tourists coming to Binh Thuan will increase. Evidence for this is that when the expressway from Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Phan Thiet is put into use, the number of visitors to Binh Thuan in 2023 will nearly double that of 2022. In particular, the number of tourists to the province is very concentrated on holidays. 1 to 2 star hotels and equivalent have room occupancy rates of about 80-90%; 3 to 5 star resorts and equivalent have room occupancy rates of approximately 95 to 100%.

With the highway put into operation, shortening the travel time from Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Thuan, it is forecasted that in the coming time, Binh Thuan tourism will welcome an even higher number of tourists. Along with the acceleration of the construction progress of Phan Thiet airport, Binh Thuan tourism will enter a new phase when welcoming more international tourists by air, instead of the current popular road route. According to a survey on Phan Thiet tourism with a group of foreign tourists, 35.5% rated the means of transportation as an important criterion in choosing a destination, followed by attractiveness, safe destination and value for money. In terms of infrastructure, Binh Thuan province is also focusing on an infrastructure development strategy to increase the capacity to receive tourists, including both international and domestic tourists. Besides Phan Thiet airport, there is Long Thanh international airport and the connecting routes within Binh Thuan and inter-regional areas that have been invested and deployed. The tourist quadrilateral between Nha Trang - Phan Thiet - Da Lat - Ho Chi Minh City is gradually taking shape more clearly.

In fact, many leaders and experts have analyzed the distinct advantages and opportunities of Binh Thuan when the province has all types of transportation, from roads, railways, maritime routes and soon aviation. Therefore, the operation of Phan Thiet airport is expected to be an important driving force to promote the socio-economic and tourism development of Binh Thuan.

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