Phú Quốc Island is among the most popular tourism spots in Kiên Giang Province. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — More than 300 tourism projects are operating or have received investment in the southern province of Kiên Giang, which is focusing on tourism as a key economic sector.

To enhance tourism, the province is also upgrading infrastructure in the Phú Quốc, Hà Tiên – Kiên Lương, Rạch Giá – Kiên Hải – Hòn Đất and U Minh Thượng areas, according to the province's Department of Tourism.

It has drafted preferential policies to encourage small and medium-sized business and local families to invest in their tourism products.

In addition, the province has taken steps to preserve the environment and treat pollution from garbage and wastewater, and has collaborated with neighboring provinces to improve the quality of tourism products, Trần Chí Dũng, director of the department, said.

As many as 69 projects have been completed with total investment of VNĐ13,958 billion, while 72 projects are being implemented with total investment of VNĐ159,135 billion ($6.9 billion).

The remaining projects, worth VNĐ164,230 billion ($7.14 billion), have been approved and are undergoing investment preparation procedures.

New projects that have opened include Vinpearl Land Phú Quốc, Phú Quốc Safari, the world’s longest cable car crossing on An Thới and Hòn Thơm Island, and Phú Quốc Casino, among other spots. All have met tourists’ demand, he said.

There are currently 11 direct international flight routes to Phú Quốc, seven of which are direct charter flights.

The province has 44 travel agencies, 728 accommodation establishments and 22,654 rooms with dozens of four to five-star hotels.

The number, scale and quality of services have met traveling needs of international and domestic visitors, Dũng said. — VNS