Vietnamese island to develop international flights

An island off the coast of Vietnam has announced it is to allow international flights from its airport within the next few years. Phu Quoc, the country’s largest island off the southwest side of Vietnam currently has connections from Ho Chi Minh City to its Doung Dong airport but its government has now approved a move into international routes. “Many say that the island is similar to the way that Thailand’s Koh Samui and Koh Chang used to be in the 1980’s, and these days many international travellers wish to experience that sense of nature and heritage,” said Joan Casadevall del Campo, general manager of Centara’s managed hotel on the island. Vietnam’s government has predicted that visitor levels could reach two million by 2020 and are currently at 77,000 during peak season. Hotels, restaurants and shops are now opening up across the island although Phu Quoc is keen to implement an eco-tourism feel in its development and marketing.