PHU QUOC-GUANGZHOU AIR SERVICE IN THE OFFING

Hung told the Daily that after a recent survey trip to the resort island, representatives of China Southern Airlines have agreed with the local government and the authority of Phu Quoc International Airport about the plan to start Phu Quoc-Guangzhou service from January next year.

The air carrier will use its Boeing or Airbus aircraft for three weekly flights on the route.

According to the airline, Phu Quoc Island is a good destination for Chinese tourists to visit as they like to enjoy seafood and swim in the ocean. The airline asked the locality to provide relevant information on laws, customs procedures, accommodation facilities, and travel services.

Hung said Phu Quoc welcomed 750,000 visitors in January-October and 30% of them were foreigners, up more than 44% over the same period last year.

The island is expected to serve 900,000 tourists this year.

There are over 6,000 hotel rooms on the biggest island in Vietnam and the figure will reach 15,000 by 2020, which can accommodate 2.5-3 million visitors per year.

Hung said Phu Quoc has so far attracted more than 200 domestic and overseas projects worth a total of VND168 trillion (US$7.57 billion) mainly in tourism and entertainment sectors.

Major projects include the 36-hectare amusement park and casino development worth US$4 billion (US$180.5 million) in Ganh Dau, the 500-hectare safari of Vinpearl Land, the tourism and entertainment complex worth VND16 trillion (US$721.9 million) invested by Sun Group on Hon Thom Island, and the international seaport of Duong Dong worth VND1.6 trillion (US$72.2 million).

Source: The Saigon Times