BÌNH THUẬN — Local authorities of the Phú Quý Island District, in the central province of Bình Thuận, have spared no effort in promoting local tourism.

The locality has concentrated on developing its sea tourism products, which aim to provide green and sustainable tourism.

The district has invested in sea route infrastructure, widening existing local roads, building a dyke system along the sea line, and developing wind-based electricity generation.

“Since early 2016, local tourism has scored significant achievements, especially when the district received electricity from inland,” said Tạ Minh Nhật, chairman of Phú Quý Island District, “More than 7,000 tourists came to the island last year.”

Nhật also appreciated efforts by local agencies in promoting the image of the island to tourists throughout the country.

There are five ship routes transporting tourists to and from the island, which helped carry more than 100,000 visitors to the island and return inland, a 58 per cent increase against the same period in the previous year.

Nhật said this year, the localities would further promote tourism and co-ordinate with more tourism companies inland.

“Environmental hygiene will be a priority, while eco-tourism products like sea fishing will be used more effectively,” Nhật said, “We aim to establish a tourism destination based around Safety, Friendliness and Quality.”

Local leaders have drafted a tourism plan with vision to 2020, in which the localities will call on investment for setting up a team of express ships, infrastructure at the local airport, ship docks, restaurants and hotels as well as diversified tourism products.

There are five tourism sites on the island, namely Doi Dừa Beach, Bãi Nhỏ-Gành Hang Tourism Site, Mộ Thầy Tourism Site, Triều Dương Bay Tourism Site and Tranh Islet Tourism Site.

By the end of last year, there were 20 hostels and guess houses in the district, offering 100 rooms meeting tourism standard to tourists.

Phú Quý District comprises a total of ten islands, with Phú Quý Island being the largest.

The island’s area measures 16.5sq.km and is located 120km southeast of Phan Thiết City.

There are many pristine beaches on the island.

The highest point on the island is 106m high. The north of the island is rocky, while the south consists mostly of sandy beaches. — VNS