High airfares expected to reduce tourists in Phú Quốc during the upcoming holidays. — Photo kinhtedothi.vn

KIÊN GIANG — The tourism sector of Phú Quốc Island is concerned that there will be lack of tourists during the five-day holiday from April 29 to May 3 due to high airfare to the island.

Many of the island's tourism businesses said that during the same period in previous years (excluding during the COVID-19 pandemic), most hotels were out of rooms and could no longer accept bookings, especially from local tourists.  

However, this year they are "waiting" for tourists.

The initial reason was the sharp increase in airfares to the island.

Nguyễn Thị Mỹ, manager of Nghị Lan Hotel in An Thới Ward of Phú Quốc Island, said due to high airfares from Hà Nội and HCM City to Phú Quốc Island, the number of visitors to Phú Quốc is quite low.

In previous years, at this time, tourists booked more than 70 per cent of rooms, while this year, the occupancy rate is down to only 10 per cent, she said.

Nguyễn Vũ Khắc Huy, deputy chairman of the Kiên Giang Tourism Association, said that the unit has sent an official dispatch to the provincial People's Committee and Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion of Kiên Giang Province to propose solutions and mechanisms to adjust airfares to the island.

According to the association, the island's tourism activities depend on flight routes from other localities to the island because this is a popular and time-saving transportation method.  

Therefore, when the cost of air tickets increases, it creates a big barrier for tourists to travel to the island.

The association recommends agencies and units support, research and have a specific plan to work with the Ministry of Transport, the National Administration of Tourism, the Civil Aviation Administration of Việt Nam and airlines to adjust the price of air tickets in order to promote tourism. 

Phú Quốc is known as the ‘pearl island,' endowed with clear blue water beaches such as Bãi Sao and Bãi Dài, and plenty of local specialties including seafood, pepper and pearls, among others.

It also has well-known destinations including the busy Dương Đông Town, Hàm Ninh and Gành Dầu fishing villages, and other attractive tourist points.

Last year, it was selected as one of the 25 best islands in the world by readers of US magazine Travel Leisure. — VNS