ITE HCMC 2024 promotes sustainable growth of international visitors to Vietnam

International buyers learn information at the event - Photo: QUANG DINH

On September 5, the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2024) opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City with the theme "Sustainable Tourism - Creating the Future".

Taking place over 3 days, from September 5 to 7, ITE HCMC 2024 welcomed 700 leaders from the world's leading organizations and businesses in the tourism industry from 38 countries and territories.

This year, the fair has about 480 exhibitors, of which domestic booths account for 77% and foreign booths account for 23%. Some international units have large booths and are invested in on a large scale, showing their interest and appreciation for the Vietnamese tourism market.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung - Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee - emphasized that the trend of tourism associated with environmental protection, protection of natural resources and indigenous culture is an inevitable requirement of the tourism industry towards sustainable development.

"This is a commitment of Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular to effectively implement tourism development activities in line with UNESCO's 17 sustainable development criteria and towards reducing emissions and protecting the natural and cultural environment," Mr. Dung shared.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung speaks at the opening ceremony - Photo: N.BINH

With the theme "Sustainable Tourism - Creating the Future", ITE HCMC 2024 expects countries, regions, territories, governments and businesses to continue pursuing sustainable development goals, building and implementing sustainable tourism development plans in their countries and localities quickly, decisively and effectively.

One of the highlights of ITE HCMC is the International Buyers program, which also achieved a 10% growth in the number of international buyers compared to 2023.

With 220 international buyers from 33 countries and territories, it is expected to set up more than 10,000 B2B business appointments to facilitate networking, negotiation and signing of future cooperation agreements.

In addition to key tourism markets such as Australia, the US, Germany, the UK, France, India, the Middle East, etc., for the first time ITE HCMC 2024 welcomes international buyers from Brazil, the Czech Republic, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Within the framework of the program, ITE HCMC 2024 also offers experiential tours for international buyers and the press with 11 tour programs, lasting from 1 to 2 days. The tours are designed with the emphasis on exploring cultural and historical relics, eco-tourism areas, culinary experiences... attracting more than 400 delegates to register to participate.

The "Consumer Day" program for the public on September 7 will also bring a program to stimulate tourism shopping from travel companies, restaurants, hotels, services, airlines... Customers have the opportunity to buy tours, book services at the most preferential prices, the deepest discounts of the year.

According to the National Tourism Administration, in the first 7 months of 2024, the total number of international visitors to Vietnam reached nearly 10 million, an increase of 51% over the same period last year and an increase of nearly 2% over the same period in 2019. Along with the recovery in the number of tourists, tourism trends have also changed a lot.

Localities participating in the fair have invested in booths to increase recognition and cultural characteristics. According to the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), in the first quarter of 2024, there were more than 285 million international tourists worldwide, reaching 97% of pre-pandemic levels. Of which, Asia-Pacific reached 82% of pre-pandemic levels - Photo: QUANG DINH

International buyers arrived at the fair early to learn about new Vietnamese tourism products - Photo: QUANG DINH

ITE HCMC attracts a large number of experts, businesses... to discuss solutions and initiatives to concretize the goals and strategic vision of Vietnam's tourism industry - Photo: QUANG DINH

Ho Chi Minh City leaders and international delegates at the opening ceremony of ITE HCMC 2024 - Photo: N.BINH

Within the framework of ITE HCMC 2024 this year, the International Tourism Fair and the International Gift and Souvenir Exhibition took place for the first time, bringing new experiences to delegates and visitors.

The booths also contribute to promoting and introducing the image and identity of Vietnam and the destination of Ho Chi Minh City through typical gift and souvenir products; at the same time, increasing market access for the products, better meeting the needs of gifts and souvenirs for domestic and international tourists.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ite-hcmc-2024-thuc-day-tang-truong-khach-quoc-te-den-viet-nam-ben-vung-2024090511561381.htm