Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien affirmed that this year’s event themed "Your Gateway to Tourism in Asia”, aims to connect Vietnam and HCM City with destinations, cities and countries in the region.
According to Chairman of the People’s Committee of HCM City , Nguyen Thanh Phong, Ho Chi Minh City is ranked third in the top ten attractive destinations in Asia in 2018 by Lonely Planet. The ITE-HCMC has become the largest international trade event in the country and the Mekong sub-region and contributed to the establishment of the long-term cooperative relationship with countries in the region and around the world.
This year's event will focus on expanding major markets, including North American, Europe and ASEAN, making a breakthrough in the city's tourism promotion in the 2018-2010 period.
The 2018 International Travel Expo- ITE HCMC features around 375 display booths of hundreds of local and foreign enterprises from 40 countries and territories worldwide, such as Brunei, Cambodia, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan (China),Holland, Russia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and others.
Various activities will be held during the festival, such as introduction of Vietnam’s destinations of Ha Noi, Quang Ninh, Quang Binh, Da Nang, HCM City, Kien Giang; Vietnam-China tourism cooperation conference; seminars on Japanese market, ASEAN Tourism Awards, ITE HCMC Awards, travel vouchers lottery
Travel companies and airlines will also offer travel vouchers lotteries, discounts on tours and cheap airfares during the event.
Highlights of the festival are a seminar on development of Vietnamese tourism, strengthening awareness and developing smart tourism, applying advanced technology and installing travel apps on smartphones which help tourists choose travel destinations and services and make their trip easier.
There will be nights of Laotian and Cambodian tourism that are organized by the Laotian Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and the Cambodia Ministry of Tourism.
The organizers hope to attract around 30,000 visitors during the three-day event.
Started in 2005, the ITE has become one of the leading travel events in Vietnam and the region with expanded scale and diversified activities, such as exhibition, meeting between Buyer and Seller and others, promotional programs.
The event is an opportunity for travel agents, hotels and representatives from tourism promotion agencies to publicize their brands and offer tourist products to local and international travelers.
The annual event is co-organized by the HCM City People’s Committee, the municipal Department of Tourism, Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company (VINEXAD) and Informa Exhibitions.
