Leaders of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province work with Con Dao district

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, leaders of provincial departments; Con Dao district leaders, representatives of some appropriate authorities in the district and some businesses dealing in tourism services in the disrict were attended.

Prior to working with the district, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province delegation and leaders of Con Dao district conducted surveys and worked with some tourism businesses in the district, including Dam Tre Bay, Dam Trau Bay and Cam Ly tourism park.

Comrade Nguyen Anh Nhut - Vice Chairman of Con Dao People's Committee reported to the delegation on the results of implementing Con Dao tourist development plan in recent years.

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Anh Nhut - Vice Chairman of Con Dao People's Committee, reported to the delegation on the results of implementing Con Dao tourist development plan in recent years. Con Dao district welcomed and served 166,947 visitors (4.1 times higher than 2010) in 2016; Of which, international visitors are over 30 thousand (up nearly 10 times compared to 2010). Tourism revenue in 2016 reached VND 802.24 billion, an increase of 14.3 times compared to 2010. The average growth rate of tourism in Con Dao district was 26.72%. At present, the district has 51 tourism projects, of which 13 are being implemented, 4 have been approved by provincial People's Committee; 6 projects supported by provincial People's Committee; 28 projects suspended the investment procedures.

Reported to the delegation, Mr. Nguyen Anh Nhut, Vice Chairman of the Con Dao district People's Committee also said: “Con Dao tourism is growing fast but not commensurate with the potentials and advantages. There are not many entertainment services, products are not characteristic of Con Dao to attract and extend the stay of visitors. Key projects, such as the expansion and upgrading of Con Dao airport, the duty-free shopping center, the daily-life water supply plant of 6,000m3/day and night, the treatment plant waste water, waste,.. delayed planning and capital arrangement; Traffic between Con Dao and the mainland is still difficult.

Con Dao district People's Committee proposed that the provincial People's Committee continue to work with the central ministries and branches to negotiate priority investment capital for a number of projects in 2017-2018, including: expansion and upgrading Con Dao airport; Construction of technical infrastructure of three urban areas: Center, Ben Dam, Co Ong; Construction of a domestic water supply plant of 6,000 m3/day and night. At the same time, the district People's Committee also proposed the provincial People's Committee continue to pay attention and direct the decentralization of management, decentralization and inspection to the District People's Committee to strengthen effective management in the fields of transportation, construction, tourism with business and service organizations involved in operating in the district.

On this occasion, the tourism enterprises in the district presented some difficulties in the business process, such as traffic between Con Dao and the mainland has many difficulties affecting the attraction of tourists and prices of services; The electricity supply has not met the demand of operation of some tourism enterprises in the district; The land rent in the district is still high. This affects the investment and business of enterprises.

After hearing opinions of Con Dao district’s People's Committee, departments and enterprises, Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh - Secretary of the provincial Party Committee - concluded: Con Dao district should actively seek investors instead of waiting for investors. Con Dao District People's Committees urgently reviews delayed projects, proposes for withdrawal of projects by investors who have no capacity; Statistics of places that can develop tourism to make investment calling for these projects. Regarding the recommendations of the district and enterprises, the district People's Committee should have specific documents with each issue to report to the provincial People's Committee for consideration and settlement. In addition to the existing tourism products, the district should call for investment in more entertainment products and they must have new products to attract customers in next 1-2 years.

At the same time, the district should coordinate with vocational training schools, open vocational training classes for local labor to meet the increasing demand for human resources in Con Dao tourism.

Regarding the difficulties and obstacles of tourism enterprises, Con Dao district is requested to accompany the enterprises in the process of investing and doing business in the district to timely catch, report and propose to the province for removing difficulties for businesses and contributing to attract investors to promote the development of Con Dao tourism.