On September 4, the Kien Giang Department of Tourism announced that from August 31 to September 3, the total number of visitors to Kien Giang for sightseeing and tourism was estimated at more than 159,000, an increase of 25.6% over the same period. Of which, there were more than 15,500 international visitors, an increase of more than 171% over the same period, more than 114,000 visitors to tourist areas and attractions, an increase of 25.9% over the same period, and more than 44,500 visitors staying overnight, an increase of 24.9% over the same period. Total revenue from tourism reached about 347.1 billion VND, an increase of 126.9%.
The average room occupancy rate in the province in the 4 days reached about 35%, up 24.9% over the same period. Phu Quoc City alone is estimated to welcome nearly 75,600 visitors, including nearly 15,600 international visitors, up 173% over the same period; total tourism revenue reached 317.4 billion VND, up 137.9% over the same period.
Mr. Bui Quoc Thai - Director of Kien Giang Department of Tourism - said that the preparation for serving tourists on the occasion of National Day 2.9 has been well prepared by localities and tourism service businesses, products and services have been strengthened and renewed, some new products have been put into operation, ready to serve visitors.
The Department of Tourism has worked with agencies, units and localities to direct and operate tourism activities well to serve tourists. Tourism businesses have organized many types of tourism, services, entertainment, and introduced typical tourism products to attract tourists.
In addition, there are also promotional programs for tourists on room rates and accompanying services in hotels and resorts.
Localities have done a good job of inspection, supervision, and arranging forces to ensure safety, security, and order for tourists, preserve the landscape and environment, and have a civilized and polite attitude towards tourists.
However, Mr. Thai also said that due to the complicated weather situation, there was a warning of heavy rain before the festival, which somewhat affected tourism activities. Many tourists canceled their tours and changed their schedules to other destinations. Some factors affecting tourism activities are that airfare prices have not cooled down yet; road connections to the province are not convenient.
The organization of tourism activities is mainly concentrated in Phu Quoc City, Ha Tien City and Kien Hai District; room capacity in Rach Gia, Kien Luong and U Minh Thuong areas is still low.
In addition, on the occasion of September 2nd, due to the close of the school year and the recent summer vacation, the number of visitors to the area has increased, but not too much.
Before the holiday, the province promptly directed localities to strengthen inspection and supervision of tourism activities during the holidays, especially at tourist areas and entertainment areas to prevent and promptly correct acts that reduce the quality of goods and services, arbitrarily increase prices, cause environmental pollution, and give rise to social evils.
Inspect piers, bus stations, and inland waterway ports to ensure compliance with regulations on traffic safety, safety for tourists, and quality of service for passengers; supervise the implementation of tourism promotion programs. Units with beaches and swimming pools must arrange a team of staff with lifeguard and drowning rescue skills to ensure safety for tourists.
