Phu Quoc to begin major crackdown on price gouging amid tourism slump

The crackdown will last until Dec. 26 as the island seeks to save its declining tourism reputation amid a recent slump in tourist arrivals that resulted in suspension of flights to the island.

The inspection team will check tour guides and taxis, canoes, tourist boats and other means of transport on the entire island city for quality and fares.

All violations will be strictly dealt with.

In addition, Phu Quoc authorities also issued a code of conduct to guarantee tourism businesses and accommodation establishments to act in a “friendly and civilized way.”

Tourism businesses in Phu Quoc are required to compete in a healthy way and not to discriminate against customers, gain illegal profits and abandon customers.

Hotels are asked to provide adequate and sufficient quality of services as advertised, publicly announce price listing, and not to discharge waste into the environment or cause environmental pollution, and not to overcharge tourists during peak seasons or national holidays.

Once a top tourist attraction, Phu Quoc has been suffering from a crisis in recent months as tourists voted with their feet due to soaring airfares, exorbitantly priced hotels and other scams.

The number of domestic tourists to Phu Quoc has halved in the last three months.

Due to low travel demand, a series of domestic flights from Da Nang, Nha Trang and Can Tho to the island have been suspended.