BÀ RỊA VŨNG TÀU — Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province plans to pour more investment in high-quality tourism projects in an effort to increase the length of tourists’stays, according to Nguyễn Hữu Thọ, chairman of Việt Nam Tourism Association.

The southern province will focus on building seaside resorts and developing ecological and spiritual tourism along with MICE events (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), Nguyễn Hồng Lĩnh, secretary of the province’s Party’s Committee, said at a conference in Vũng Tàu on Thursday.

The number of visitors has risen nearly 13 per cent year-on-year, while tourism revenue also rose 15.9 per cent. But many visitors from HCM City and neighboring provinces such as Bình Dương and Đồng Nai stay only for a day or half-day, according to Lĩnh.

To attract more long-term visitors, the province wants to develop world-class sites on Côn Đảo islands and at Bình Châu Hot Springs.

Resorts and amusement parks, to be built on coastal areas of around 1,600 hectares, are expected to attract both MICE and holiday tourists.

The 1,100-ha Long Hải-Phước Hải complex and its adjacent areas will accommodate high-end resorts, water and mountain sports, and traditional craft villages, while the 3,000-ha Bà Rịa-Núi Dinh complex will be earmarked for community and hi-tech agricultural tourism.

At the Hồ Tràm-Bình Châu complex, which is 6,000 ha wide, seaside resorts, ecotourism services, high-end amusement parks and medical tourism services will be provided. A 600-hectare safari park has also been planned for this complex.

Meanwhile, high-end water tourism, ecotourism and historical tourism services will be offered at the 1,000-ha Côn Đảo Island complex.

The province has completed a coastal road from Vũng Tàu City to Xuyên Mộc District, forming a unique beach tourism route with luxury hotels and resorts along the coast.

But there are still many sites where investors could develop high-end tourism projects.

Located in the southern key economic zone and 100km from HCM City, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu boasts many strengths and a robust maritime economy, including ports, oil and gas exploration, and seafood exploitation and processing.

Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province attracted 2,79 million visitors last year, including 363,000 foreigners. — VNS