Phu Quoc poised to receive foreign tourists in November

Phu Quoc island in southern Kien Giang province is set to receive first charter flights from November 20 this year to bring foreign travelers with a vaccine passport to the resort city under a pilot scheme recently approved by the Prime Minister.

Nguyen Luu Trung, vice chairman of the Kien Giang administration, revealed the information during a working session with leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on September 23.

Trung said local authorities would support firms with the expenditure for periodical COVID-19 tests, entry, and exit costs for tourists once Phu Quoc re-opens to receive international visitors once again.

The pilot scheme will be implemented over a six-month period, with the island city welcoming between one and three initial flights between November 20 and December 20 as part of a trial phase.

The city is anticipated to receive approximately 3,000 to 5,000 foreign tourists per month in the first phase from December 20, 2021 to March 20, 2022, and 5,000 to 10,000 visitors in the second phase March 20 to June 20, 2022.

Phu Quoc will be targeting foreign tourists from COVID-19 controlled countries, including those from Europe, the Middle East, China, Taiwan (China), Russia, and Australia.

All tourist facilities are ready to welcome back the visitors, said Huynh Quang Hung, chairman of Phu Quoc city’s administration, adding the local administration is speeding up vaccination to ensure all residents on the island are fully vaccinated.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet stated that the resumption of tourism services in Phu Quoc could open up a programme to promote international tourism on a wider scale.

The Ministry is set to hold a virtual meeting with foreign ambassadors in early October to announce the scheme and call for greater sponsorship for communication campaigns.

Phu Quoc island city currently has 17 accommodation facilities, five travel agencies, and seven entertainment businesses which have registered for the pilot scheme.

The city is taking bold measures to stamp out a new coronavirus outbreak that occurred several days ago in An Thoi ward. Local authorities hoped that the new outbreak would be brought under control soon and it would not affect its pilot scheme to welcome back vaccinated foreign visitors.

VOV