Kien Giang exploits potential, develops key economic tourism

Kien Giang is one of the four key economic provinces of the Mekong Delta, with a seaport and international airport, convenient for regional and international cooperation. The province has a coastline of more than 200 km, over 143 large and small islands with many beautiful beaches. In addition, the province's transport infrastructure is increasingly improved, with open visa policies... contributing to attracting domestic and foreign tourists to visit and relax.

Tourists experience watching the sunset on the 5-star Nautilus cruise ship in the middle of Phu Quoc

Bright spot in the economic picture

According to the Kien Giang Provincial Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion, Kien Giang has so far attracted 317 tourism investment projects with a total capital of over 16.5 billion USD. In the first 9 months of 2024, the province welcomed over 8.3 million tourists (up 15.5% over the same period, reaching 90.4% of the annual plan); of which international visitors were nearly 737,000 (up 57% over the same period, exceeding the annual plan by 8.3%). Total revenue from tourism reached about 19,787 billion VND (up 35.7% over the same period, reaching 98.9% of the annual plan).

Ms. Tatyana, a tourist from Kazakhstan, shared: “In addition to the advantage of a warm climate, suitable for tourists from cold countries, Phu Quoc also has a competitive advantage in tourism because all international visitors are exempt from a 30-day visa when coming here. I love Phu Quoc because of its friendly people, delicious food and especially the beautiful scenery like a real paradise. In addition, the cost of traveling to Phu Quoc is also very reasonable for a long stay.”

Young people check-in at Hon Son, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang

To continue effectively exploiting tourism potential, the Provincial People's Committee directed the tourism industry to continue expanding the market and promoting economic growth. Coordinate with relevant units to effectively implement the plan to implement the Prime Minister's conclusion at the conference summarizing Decision No. 178, the goal of developing Phu Quoc according to the multi-center model, a green, safe, smart city and an attractive destination with its own identity, ensuring sustainable development.

In particular, Kien Giang promotes the role of the province in the national growth pole of the Southern region, the driving force to promote Vietnam's tourism according to the tourism system planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045 approved by the Government, to join with other provinces and cities to make an important contribution to the goal of developing Vietnam's tourism to truly become a spearhead economic sector, in a professional and modern direction, accounting for an increasingly high proportion in the GDP structure; creating a driving force to promote other industries and fields...

Phu Quoc is one of the few places that shoots fireworks for tourists every night.

Restructuring the tourism market to meet development requirements

To meet the requirements of developing tourism into a key economic sector, Kien Giang is implementing a project to restructure the tourism industry, creating a breakthrough in comprehensive development in terms of scope, scale and quality of services.

Accordingly, the province focuses on increasing the proportion of European tourists; making the Southeast Asian tourist market a key market; stably exploiting the source of Chinese and Korean tourists; exploiting new markets from India and the Middle East.

For the domestic tourist market, Kien Giang exploits the markets of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang; develops and expands the tourist market from the Central Highlands; increases the proportion of tourists experiencing nature, culture, and MICE tourism.

Tourists fishing at sea in Hon Dam area, Kien Luong district, Kien Giang

The goal is to strive by 2025 for Kien Giang to welcome 10.7 million visitors (900,000 international visitors), with total tourism revenue reaching 38,000 billion VND, contributing over 13% of the province's GRDP; by 2030, to welcome over 23 million visitors (1.667 million international visitors), with total revenue reaching 105,000 billion VND, contributing over 17.5% of the province's GRDP.

Ms. Quang Xuan Lua, Director of Kien Giang Center for Trade, Investment and Tourism Promotion, said that to achieve the above goal, Kien Giang will strengthen existing tourism products; continue to form 3 specific tourism products: Visiting the karst terrain ecosystem where the sea and the plain intersect (Ha Tien - Kien Luong); visiting and researching dugongs, dolphins and hawksbill turtles in the natural environment of Phu Quoc; visiting and researching and ecotourism activities in Phu Quoc tropical forest.

At the same time, forming natural tourism products, border trade tourism, Oc Eo cultural archeology, yachting, shopping, creative tourism, virtual reality tourism... to serve customers. Promoting linkages and cooperation in tourism development with provinces and cities at home and abroad in conjunction with information work, digital transformation in the tourism sector and international integration.

A corner of Rach Vem fishing village, Phu Quoc city in the early morning

Kien Giang continues to focus on investing in infrastructure, mobilizing resources for tourism development investment; focusing on training and developing human resources... to seize opportunities to develop the tourism ecosystem, promote rapid and sustainable tourism development.

“In the last months of 2024, Kien Giang is preparing to launch many new events and tourism products such as: pool party, EDM in Hon Thom; a show combining jetski & flyboards with festival drums, lion dances and giant kites at Hon bridge; Phu Quoc culture, sports and tourism week; IRONMAN 70.3 season 2... promising to bring visitors many new, impressive and unique experiences,” Ms. Quang Xuan Lua added.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/kien-giang-khai-thac-tiem-nang-phat-trien-du-lich-kinh-te-trong-diem-185241024101355746.htm