The 'key' that helps Phu Quoc make a 'leap' to become global destination

The famtrip “Journey to Paradise Island” from December 4-6, 2024 has brought Phu Quoc to the center of attention of the tourism industry in the world.

The participation of more than 70 representatives from famous airlines, travel agencies, and online travel platforms not only proves the attraction of Pearl Island but also provides advice and suggests new directions for Phu Quoc to rise as one of the world-class destinations.

Why does Phu Quoc attract special attention?

The presence of big businesses such as KKday, Klook, Pegas Touristik, Crystal Bay, Anex, Accor & Ennismore, and Rixos Hotels, and airlines such as Starlux, SCAT, Vietnam Airlines, and Thai Vietjet shows that Phu Quoc is the center of the regional tourism industry.

According to experts, the main reason is that Pearl Island boasts its outstanding development and great potential.

“I first came here in 2022 and was really impressed by the Hon Thom sea-crossing cable car project. This time around, Phu Quoc has completely changed with a tightly connected tourism ecosystem. From high-end hotels, shows, to night markets, everything is ready to attract global visitors,” said Weichun Liu, CEO of KKday.

Moreover, Phu Quoc also possesses all the elements of a world-class destination with stunning natural landscapes, modern infrastructure and creative tourism products.

Nguyen Huy Hoang, CEO of Klook Vietnam, remarked: “Phu Quoc has evolved beyond being merely a destination known for its natural beauty. New tourism products such as Kiss of the Sea show, Sun World Hon Thom water park, or VUI-Fest Bazaar have brought new vitality to Phu Quoc tourism, turning this place into an all-round destination.”

The constant innovation is also the reason why Phu Quoc has become an ideal choice for international businesses to cooperate.

Agnes Roquefort, global development director of Accor Luxury & Lifestyle, commented: “Phu Quoc has great potential thanks to the combination of both vibrant and relaxing elements. With strong investment in the tourism ecosystem, we are very confident in the future of this destination”.

What "key" will help Phu Quoc make a "leap"?

Although Phu Quoc possesses many competitive advantages, it is necessary for Phu Quoc to overcome several challenges to become a world-class destination. One of the biggest problems today is the lack of synchronous infrastructure and support services.

Ben Chang, director of Starlux Vietnam branch, said: "In order to attract international tourists, Phu Quoc needs to develop more facilities such as international hospitals and public transport systems. In addition, ride-hailing services like Grab and GrabFood need to become more widely available to increase convenience for tourists."

The promotion issue was also mentioned by experts. Abdullah Cankaya, vice president of Pegas Touristik Asia – Pacific, noted: “Phu Quoc needs a stronger marketing strategy to approach new markets such as Central Asia or Eastern Europe. This is very important to turn Phu Quoc from a regional destination to a global destination.”

Along with that, Weichun Liu emphasized the importance of visa policy: “Visa exemption has helped Phu Quoc easily attract international visitors, especially from markets such as South Korea and Taiwan. However, this policy needs to be maintained and expanded to increase attraction, especially for potential markets.”

The Future of “Oriental Hawaii”

To solve the above problems, businesses and experts have proposed specific solutions to help Phu Quoc develop more sustainably and comprehensively.

Building its own identity is the solution Abdullah Cankaya recommended: “Instead of directly competing with Maldives or Hawaii, it is necessary for Phu Quoc to develop its own unique identity, focusing on natural elements, culture and the friendliness of the people.”

Sharing the same opinion, Starlux added: “The increased air connectivity is due to our having increased the number of direct flights from Taiwan to Phu Quoc to 10 flights per week. The flight frequency will even increase in the future”.

Positioning the green island brand is what Nguyen Huy Hoang - CEO of Klook Vietnam emphasized: "Positioning Phu Quoc as a green, clean, sustainable island not only helps attract nature-loving guests but also builds a long-term brand".

Sharing about the future of Phu Quoc, Francois Boudin, representative of Rixos Hotels, considers that the new tourism products in Phu Quoc are not only diverse but also international standard, creating a strong attraction.

“Rixos Phu Quoc – the first all-inclusive resort in Southeast Asia – will not only enhance the resort experience but also contribute to extending the average length of stay of visitors,” Francois Boudin affirmed.

“Sun Paradise Land is a typical example of a comprehensive tourism development model that combines relaxation, entertainment and healthcare. This is the direction that world-class destinations need to pursue,” added Agnes Roquefort.

Phu Quoc’s development is shown by impressive growth figures. In 2024, Pearl Island is expected to welcome nearly 6 million visitors, including nearly 1 million international visitors – an increase of 73.4% over the previous year. More than 4,000 international flights have landed in Phu Quoc so far this year, an increase of 175% over 2023.

“Products such as the sea-crossing cable car, high-class shows, and luxury hotels have made Phu Quoc surpass expectations of international tourists. I believe that the average length of stay will continue to increase as new products are completed,” said Weichun Liu.

With systematic investment, strategic vision and the support of international enterprises, Phu Quoc is gradually materializing its ambition to become a global destination.

Experts all agree that if this development momentum is maintained, Phu Quoc will not only be on par with Hawaii or Maldives but also become a new symbol of Vietnamese tourism.

Sam Chen, deputy general director of Hoang Tra Company, has high expectations for the future of tourism on the pearl island: “Phu Quoc Island is a new tourism product, with future development and people-oriented. The island represents both adventure and new experiences. When the media spreads more, Phu Quoc will certainly attract the attention of tourists and become a hot tourism product”.

“We believe that Phu Quoc not only has potential but also a very bright future. This is the reason why we commit to a long-term partnership with Pearl Island,” concluded Agnes Roquefort.

The world’s leading tourism businesses' perspectives show that Phu Quoc is gradually breaking through and reaching out to the world. With methodical investment, sustainable development strategies and support from international businesses, Phu Quoc promises to not only become the “Hawaii of the East” but also a new symbol of global tourism.