Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Phu Quoc, a jewel in Vietnam’s tourism crown known for its pristine beaches and lush forests, is facing a downturn in tourist arrivals as exorbitant airfare rates deter travelers during the critical Reunification Day and May Day holiday period. This trend is causing considerable concern among local hotels and travel firms, who rely heavily on the surge in visitors during national holidays to bolster their revenues.
The Impact of Soaring Airfares
The allure of Phu Quoc’s sandy shores and crystal-clear waters is being overshadowed by the steep cost of getting there. Ngoc Linh, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, shared her frustration over the prohibitive airfares. Despite her tradition of visiting the island for national holidays, this year she found ticket prices to be 1.5 times higher than usual, prompting her to consider alternative beach destinations closer to home such as Vung Tau or Mui Ne.
Similarly, Nguyen Ho Phong and his wife, who also had their hearts set on Phu Quoc, found themselves pivoting to a holiday in Thailand when faced with comparable costs for travel to the domestic island and the international destination.
Local Businesses Bear the Brunt
The ripple effect of the high airfares is palpable among Phu Quoc’s local businesses. Phan Van Manh, director of Phu Quoc Golden Dragon Company, expressed his reluctance to raise prices for land tours and car rentals during the holidays due to the already escalated costs of air travel. With bookings dwindling as the holidays draw near, Manh holds out hope for a reduction in airfares to salvage the season.
Some travel agencies are taking drastic measures by removing Phu Quoc from their holiday itineraries altogether. Hoang Viet Travel Company has ceased selling tours to the island for the holiday period, citing that the cost of a holiday package to Phu Quoc now rivals that of a four-day tour to Fenghuang Guzhen, an ancient town in China.
The Broader Implications for Phu Quoc Tourism
The persistent issue of high airfares is not new to Phu Quoc; the island experienced a similar tourism crisis last year, attributed to costly flights among other factors like scams. This year, the continuation of this trend threatens not only the immediate holiday season but also the long-term appeal of Phu Quoc as a premier tourist destination.
Hotels on the island are feeling the pinch, with many eliminating holiday surcharges in an attempt to attract guests. However, representatives from international five-star resorts note that while they still manage to draw in foreign tourists, the domestic crowd is significantly thinning out. The prediction is bleak, with expectations that many in the south will opt for nearer beach locales like Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, and Ho Tram, and those in the north will also seek alternatives.
A Call for Sustainable Solutions
The current crisis facing Phu Quoc underscores a critical need for sustainable tourism strategies that consider the affordability and accessibility of travel. As one of Vietnam’s top holiday spots, it is imperative for stakeholders, including airline operators, tourism authorities, and local businesses, to collaborate on solutions that will make Phu Quoc accessible to a broader range of tourists. Ensuring competitive and reasonable airfare rates, particularly during peak travel seasons, could play a pivotal role in revitalizing Phu Quoc’s tourism sector and maintaining its status as a beloved destination for both domestic and international visitors. Without such interventions, Phu Quoc risks a continuous decline in visitor numbers, which could have far-reaching effects on its economic vitality and tourism reputation.
Monday, April 29, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
