ITE HCMC 2024 Concretizes Vietnam's Zero Emissions Commitment

Opportunity to learn tourism development policies and mechanisms

Taking place over 3 days, from now until September 7, the Fair is expected to welcome 700 leaders from the world's leading organizations and businesses in the tourism industry from 38 countries and territories.

This year, ITE HCMC 2024 recorded impressive growth with nearly 480 exhibitors, of which 23% were foreign booths. With 220 international buyers from 33 countries and territories, up 10% compared to 2023, it is expected to set up more than 10,000 B2B trade appointments.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, spoke at the opening ceremony. (Photo: Ty Huynh)

This is also the first time the Fair welcomes international buyers from Brazil, Czech Republic, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the participation of the world's leading travel groups such as: Flight Center Travel Group (Australia), Intrepid (Australia), Collette (USA), Exim Tour of DERTour Group (Germany). Thereby, it is expected to open up great opportunities in expanding and promoting the international tourist market to Vietnam.

Leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, diplomatic agencies, cultural and tourism management agencies of countries participating in the Fair, performed the "sowing green seeds" ritual (Photo: Ty Huynh)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, expected that the activities and programs of the Fair will focus on discussions to propose solutions and initiatives towards the goal of sustainable tourism development in Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City tourism in particular.

Mr. Dung acknowledged that this is a valuable opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to update and learn from international experiences on mechanisms and policies for tourism development, especially during the period when Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating the implementation of Resolution 98 of the National Assembly on piloting specific mechanisms and policies for Ho Chi Minh City's development.

Exciting activities and promotions

At the Fair, this year, there were many international booths with larger investments than in previous years. Many promotional programs and policies were also launched by domestic and foreign travel agencies, tourism, hotels, and airlines to attract buyers.

Immediately after the opening, many people, tourists, representatives of domestic and foreign travel agencies and tourism services came to the event to hunt for cheap tours (Photo: Ty Huynh)

While visiting the Fair to buy tours to France and some European countries for the end of this year, Mr. Tran Khang Duy (living in District 1) shared: “This year the program has been invested more, the booths are displayed more beautifully and there are better promotional programs than last year. Regarding tour prices, there is also competition between domestic and foreign travel agencies. The promotional programs will help buyers like me and my family decide to close the tour.”

Right on the opening morning, the booths at the fair were bustling with marketing activities, introducing tourism products and services to visitors as well as meeting, exchanging and seeking cooperation opportunities between parties (B2B).

Exciting B2B business meetings, marketing, introducing tourism products of Vietnam and other countries to tourists and people. (Photo: Ty Huynh)

Ms. Tran Phuong Linh, Director of Communications and Marketing at Ben Thanh Tourist, said: “Our biggest goal in participating in this Fair is to connect the international tourist market to Vietnam. From morning until now, the source of customers are international buyers and sellers coming to our booth, mainly customers from China and Chinese markets. We hope that through this, we will have connections and connect potential customers to Vietnam at the end of this year or next year.”

Vietnam - an important tourism market for many countries

International travel agencies and businesses with booths at the Fair affirmed that Vietnam is always an important tourist market.

Mr. Derek Chou - Director of the Department of Tourism, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City said that Taiwan (China) is a familiar destination for Vietnamese tourists. In recent times, Taiwan (China) has made many efforts to improve tourism policies to attract Vietnamese tourists such as: Developing new scenic spots, investing in developing transport infrastructure.

“Coming to Taiwan (China), tourists can climb mountains and go to the beach in the same day because of the convenient transportation. Our country is one of the good tourist destinations, worth for Vietnamese people to visit. Last year, we developed new scenic spots, new sightseeing areas to attract tourists. Currently, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau is also coordinating with Vietnamese travel companies to promote the program "go 4 pay 3" and free hotel to attract more Vietnamese tourists" - Mr. Derek Chou said.

Tourists and locals experience traditional culture of Vietnam and other countries at the fair (Photo: Ty Huynh)

To discuss and propose solutions and initiatives towards sustainable tourism development, ITE HCMC 2024 organizes 9 forums and workshops focusing on the theme "Sustainable tourism - Creating the future" such as: Workshop "Empowering local communities through sustainable tourism"; Workshop "Application of AI in international communication and sustainable tourism"...

In addition to the trade exhibition activities at the ITE HCMC Fair 2024, for the first time, the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City jointly organized the International Gift and Souvenir Exhibition Fair of Ho Chi Minh City in 2024 with 100 participating booths. This event takes place over 3 days at the A2 - SECC exhibition area.

Source: https://vov.vn/kinh-te/hoi-cho-ite-hcmc-2024-cu-the-hoa-cam-ket-giam-phat-thai-bang-0-cua-viet-nam-post1119047.vov