Phu Quoc Island enjoys increasing number of tourists

The Phu Quoc Tourism Association reported that the total number of tourists to Dao Ngoc (Emerald Island) reached 18,000 in August, including 2,500 foreign tourists. This figure was estimated at 162,850 tourist arrivals in the first eight months this year, an increase of 27.12 percent compared to the same period last year; including 39,603 foreign tourist arrivals.
Phu Quoc Island is blessed with a favorable natural environment like the virgin forest which is over 37,000 hectares, white sandy beaches, coral gardens offshore, and a varieties of wildlife species, so it is not hard to see why the island has great tourist potential.
Phu Quoc Island received the approval by the government and central ministries and branches for the planning of six fields: tourism, transportation, power generation, irrigation, post-telecommunication, and trade. The general plan for protecting the environment of Phu Quoc Island for 2010 and the orientation to 2020 was also approved by the Prime Minister. Under the plan, nearly 3,800 hectares were approved for tourism development.
At present, Phu Quoc has 1,500 rooms with nearly 90 rooms reaching three to four-star standard.
Construction of the Duong To International Airport began on November 2008 and the airport is scheduled to be complete by 2012. Construction of the An Thoi Seaport is being implemented and its operation is expected to be underway in early 2010.
Geographically, Phu Quoc island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, covering a total area of approximately 580 km², close to the main Asian cites of Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.