KienGiang (VNS/VNA) - Authorities in the Mekong Delta province of KienGiang should offer incentives to attract investment in tourism infrastructureand services in Ha Tien- Kien Luong, Rach Gia- Kien Hai- Hon Dat, and U MinhThuong to realise their tourism potential, experts have said.

The provincemaster plan identifies Ha Tien- Kien Luong, Rach Gia- Kien Hai- Hon Dat, and UMinh Thuong as key tourism areas apart from Phu Quoc Island, one of the topdestinations in Vietnam, said Pham Vu Hong, Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee.

Theprovince has been focusing on investment in tourism infrastructure and servicesto actualise the potential of these areas, he told a recent conference inHa Tien town.  

In 2016-2020the province has set funding of 369 billion VND (15.9 million USD) for fiveprojects in these three major tourism zones, he said.

Thecompleted works include the Rach Gia Airport upgrade, linking the nationalpower grid with islands such as Hon Tre, Lai Son and Hai Tac, andinfrastructure in Mui Nai, Hon Trem Island, Hang pagoda, and the U Minh Thuongnational park.

Theprovince would continue to explore partnerships with local and foreigninvestors to develop these tourism zones, Hong said.

PhamTrung Luong of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature andEnvironment, said Ha Tien- Kien Luong, Rach Gia- Kien Hai- Hon Dat, and U MinhThuong play a vital role in the province and the Mekong Delta’s tourismdevelopment.

He suggestedprioritising three types of tourism for investment, ecological, cultural andcommunity-based.

The localgovernment should focus on tourism infrastructure development to createconvenient transportation within the zones and link the zones with Phu QuocIsland, he said.

It shouldalso invest in new tourism products based on local tourism resources, he added.

Nguyen VanDinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Education Association, said theprovince has natural diversity ranging from the delta to seas and mountains,which is excellent for tourism development.

But itneeds to invest heavily in road and sea traffic infrastructure and diversifytourism products to attract tourists, he said.

Tourismmarketing and promotion are required, with a focus on key local markets such asthe cities of Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, and HCM City andinternational markets such as the Republic of Korea, China, Japan, theUS and Western European countries, he added.

Expertsalso suggested that the province should pay more attention to improving tourismhuman resources and strengthening cooperation with travel firms in otherprovinces to develop new travel routes and products./.