Phu Quoc can be the next popular holiday destination for Calcuttans because a visa is not needed to visit the small island in Vietnam off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand.
The island offers entry without visa for international visitors for up to a month, which tour operators say can be a big draw for tourists from Calcutta.
Those flying from Calcutta will not need a visa now that a connecting flight of AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur to Phu Quoc has started.
The airline operates flights to Phu Quoc from Kuala Lumpur on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
“With AirAsia Fly-Thru facility, a passenger connecting a Phu Quoc flight, need not get a Malaysia visa if on transit,” an AirAsia official said.
The airline’s flight from Calcutta reaches Kuala Lumpur early in the morning and passengers headed onwards to Phu Quoc do not need to leave the transit area as the baggage goes through and hence no visa is needed.
The flight’s average load is 75 per cent passengers and in December it is expected to go up to 80 per cent, an AirAsia official said.
Dense tropical jungle, mountains, white sand beaches and hiking trails are some of the main attractions of the island. The oversea cable car ride from the main island to Hon Thom, another island, is another major attraction. It is said to be the longest oversea cable car ride.
Also visits to fish sauce factories and organic pepper farms are other attractions.
The Phu Quoc district has 28 islands, most of which are uninhabited while on some resorts are being built. The Phu Quoc island covers 574sq km.
The number of tourists to Phu Quoc has gone up from 318,000 in 2017 to around 500,000 till November this year, a Vietravel official said.
Tour operators in Calcutta said the visa free destination should attract tourists, specially those who plan short travels on weekends.
“Thailand and Singapore have been repeated by Calcuttans and Bali, too, has been explored. So, tourists are now looking for new destinations and Phu Quoc can be one during Christmas,” Anil Punjabi, chairman, east, Travel Agents Federation of India, said.
