Friday, October 2, 2009

Nation’s largest tourism expo opens in HCM City

The 5th International Travel Expo, the largest annual tourism event in Vietnam, opened in Ho Chi Minh City on October 1.

Under the theme “Three countries, One destination,” ITE HCMC 2009 is to publicise the creation of tourist products and services jointly provided by the trio of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Amidst a declining trend in global tourism, the organisers hope that the three-day event will serve as an ideal venue for 300 “buyers” and “sellers” from 28 countries and territories worldwide to set up new partnerships.

According to the organisers, more than 1,500 meetings between interested parties have already been scheduled through the online, automatic pre-scheduled appointment (PSA) system.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Chien Thang confirmed the resolve to promote the images of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and bring their jointly-provided products to international friends.

As part of the expo, a seminar was held to introduce Vietnam’s new tourist sites and celebrations planned for the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, as well as tours that connect tourist destinations of the three nations.

More than 100 delegates, including government officials and investors from 15 countries, are expected to attend a Tourism Investment Conference (TIC) to discuss ways to develop tourism industry in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The organisers will use this occasion to announce the Tourism Alliance Awards to the 20 most outstanding businesses operating in the tourism services industries from all three countries.

The ITE HCMC 2009 was co-organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company (Vinexad) and the IIR Exhibition Company from Singapore.

VOVNews/VNA

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