Foreign arrivals to Con Dao surge

Ba Ria-Vung Tau province’s district welcomed nearly 90,000 visitors last year, 9% more than in 2012, and earned in excess of VND305 billion from tourism.

November alone saw 5,594 visitors, including 1,823 foreigners, up 42% and 107% respectively against November 2012. Per person spending averages VND3.4 million. Hotel occupation stood at 47% of capacity.

According to the managing board of Con Dao tourism sites, most attractions enjoyed increased visitor numbers. New hotels and resorts opened to meet both domestic and international demand. The district has paid due attention to tourism promotion.

Local authorities and residents are vigilant in social security, food hygiene and safety, and environmental cleanliness, while travel agents advertise a range of promotional discounts.

Con Dao currently has 35 hotels and motels with 572 rooms. This includes the five-star resort Six Senses Con Dao, with 119 rooms, a bar, spa, gyms, swimming pool, and children’s entertainment. A Vietnam-Russia resort is under construction.

The province’s 2020 socio-economic development plan focuses on developing bio-tourism, luxury entertainment, and cultural and historical tourism. Con Dao wants to record 64,000 annual visitors in 2015 and 150,000 by 2020.

To attract investment and develop Con Dao into a high quality tourism site, the Government has approved incentives that simplify investment red tape, reduce corporate income tax by 10% for 30 years, cut personal income tax by 50%, and waive import tariffs.

The district is implementing a number of infrastructure upgrades.

Ho Van Nien, Vice Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial People’s Committee, described plans for a “Con Dao Day” celebrating and supporting the district’s ambitions to become an internationally renowned tourist attraction.