Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc meets with executives of Sun Group, one of the major investors in the country’s tourism with large projects on Phú Quốc Island in the Mekong Delta province of Kiên Giang on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

KIÊN GIANG — Việt Nam offers optimal conditions for investors, especially in tourism, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said at a meeting on Thursday with executives of Sun Group, one of the major investors in the country’s tourism with large projects on Phú Quốc Island in the Mekong Delta province of Kiên Giang.

He noted that Việt Nam enjoyed a growth of 20 per cent in the number of tourists in 2016, and 30 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

The PM lauded the firm’s investments in large projects across Việt Nam, including the world’s longest suspension cable to Fansipan Mountain in the northern province of Lào Cai, saying these have created jobs and contributed to socio-economic growth of many localities and the development of Việt Nam’s tourism trademark.

Sun Group operates tourism and resort projects in Lào Cai, Phú Quốc, Đà Nẵng and Quảng Nam.

The group’s tourism and resort projects in Phú Quốc include JW Marriott Phú Quốc Emerald Bay, Premier Village Phú Quốc Resort and Premier Residences Phú Quốc Emerald Bay.

Highlighting the Party and State’s goal of turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector, PM Phúc suggested that the firm and other investors work to introduce unique and impressive tourism products supported by local residents.

He also praised the authorities of Phú Quốc Island and Kiên Giang province for adopting mechanisms to attract giant investors in tourism infrastructure, saying it set a good example in tourism development for localities.

In the first quarter of 2017, Phú Quốc Island welcomed about 553,500 visitors, a surge of 82.7 per cent year-on-year, including 139,000 foreigners, up 53 per cent over the same time in 2016.

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc also laid flowers at the Phú Quốc Martyrs’ Cemetery,  the resting place of over 3,500 martyrs who laid down their lives on the island.

During his visit to Kiên Giang, the PM is scheduled to meet with provincial leaders about the development of a Phú Quốc special economic zone. — VNS