Phu Quoc tourism: Better late than never.

Phu Quoc tourism has been facing many difficulties recently. Currently, about 60% of visitors arrive by air, and about 40% by ferry. However, flights and ferries to this pearl island are experiencing low passenger numbers. Many businesses have lowered service prices and maintained room rates, yet still haven't achieved the expected revenue. More comprehensive solutions are needed to attract tourists to Phu Quoc.

We have placed many demands on Phu Quoc, from establishing a high-quality eco-tourism zone to developing financial and commercial centers, then developing an innovation center, and urban development. There are too many responsibilities, while Phu Quoc's outstanding feature from about 20 years ago – its high-quality eco-tourism zone – has not been given sufficient attention.

Many people were shocked when they saw the photo of Phu Quoc viewed from the sea. One angle of the image showed the entire island as a chaotic jumble of concrete blocks, completely lacking in greenery. This is truly a regrettable situation for a place known as the pearl island.

If Phu Quoc remains committed to developing high-quality, upscale ecotourism, it will generate significant revenue and create a strong appeal, making it competitive in the international tourism market. Most importantly, it will ensure sustainable development.

There are many reasons why the number of tourists visiting Phu Quoc is decreasing. Firstly, Phu Quoc is no longer as popular as it once was; many tourists have visited Phu Quoc more than twice in the last two to three years. Secondly, Phu Quoc's beauty is only found within the four walls of its resorts. Furthermore, the town is dull with its jumbled rows of townhouses, lacking distinctive architectural features and scenic beauty.

Package tours to Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore are offered at significantly lower prices compared to tours in Phu Quoc. Domestic tourists with higher spending power choose to travel to Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea, and Europe because they are truly "delicious, nutritious, and affordable."

Current airfares are excessively high compared to the general average, especially during this difficult economic period. The latest survey shows that the lowest round-trip economy class airfare on the Hanoi - Phu Quoc route is 5 million VND/ticket, and the highest is 8.1 million VND/ticket. The Ho Chi Minh City - Phu Quoc route ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 million VND/ticket.

Currently, the average cost for a trip to Phu Quoc ranges from 6 to 10 million VND. At this price point, some domestic tourists argue that there's no reason not to choose Thailand, where they can enjoy both the prestige of traveling abroad and indulge in delicious food and shopping.

Statistics show that in 2018, Phu Quoc welcomed over 4 million visitors, generating revenue of 5,518 billion VND; in 2019, it welcomed 5.1 million visitors, generating revenue of over 18,595 billion VND; in 2020, it only welcomed over 3.5 million visitors, a decrease of 30.6% compared to the same period; in 2021, it welcomed 2.3 million visitors, with revenue decreasing to nearly 2,000 billion VND; and in 2022, it welcomed 4.7 million visitors.

Based on the above figures, if Phu Quoc wants to attract tourists and encourage repeat visits, both in the short and long term, there is no other way than for the Phu Quoc City government, the Kien Giang provincial tourism industry, and tourism businesses to sit down together, "correct mistakes" with a proactive spirit, innovate, and create real differentiation instead of blaming objective factors.

Phu Quoc has very little chance of reviving its image after so much disappointment regarding infrastructure, beach quality, and commodity prices. Despite the limited opportunities, with serious and decisive action, Phu Quoc can still return to the tourism race.

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