KIÊN GIANG — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Kiên Giang plans to boost tourism promotion at major markets to attract visitors during the upcoming holiday to celebrate National Reunification Day (April 30).

Bùi Quốc Thái, director of the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that to prepare for the upcoming holiday and summer vacation season, the department is working with relevant agencies and tourism businesses to host tourism promotion events to lure local and international visitors.

The province plans to participate in the Việt Nam International Travel Mart in Hà Nội on April 11-14 to promote its image and tourism products. It also joined the HCM City Tourism Festival on April 4-7.

Trần Quốc Khánh, chairman of the province’s Tourism Association, said the association has sent its members to international tourism fairs at potential markets of South Korea, Japan and the Middle East to introduce the beauty and tourism experiences in Kiên Giang, particularly the Phú Quốc Islands.

Thái said the department is also cooperating with the association to encourage local tourism businesses to offer promotion programmes, which contribute to reducing the cost of tourism which is going up due to high airfare prices.

The department will set up an investigation team to check accommodation, service providers, and tourism agencies to ensure Kiên Giang becomes a safe and friendly tourist destination.

In addition, the province is preparing to launch a website and a mobile application to provide information about local tourism services and destinations.

Tourists can quickly access information on tourism sites, festivals, accommodations, food and beverage services, and entertainment and shopping places in Kiên Giang.

Itineraries of tours around the province and tickets for tourism sites are available on the website and app.

According to the department, Kiên Giang welcomed more than 2.75 million visitors in the first quarter of 2024, including 290,650 international tourists. The number is 22.1 per cent higher from the same period of 2023.

Total tourism revenue reached VNĐ7.27 trillion (US$290.8 million), a year-on-year increase of 35.6 per cent.

The province has attracted 317 investment projects in the tourism sector, covering a total area of 9,754 hectares and a total capital of VNĐ393 trillion ($15.7 billion). – VNS