Ho Chi Minh City opens tourism fair to attract international visitors

The Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair 2023 opened this morning to attract international visitors to Vietnam in the context of results in the first 8 months of the year being assessed as "unsatisfactory".

The 17th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Fair 2023 (ITE HCMC 2023) is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, taking place from September 7 to 9, with the participation of 3,500 delegates from 42 countries and territories.

ITE fair space on the morning of September 7. Photo: Bich Phuong — ITE fair space on the morning of September 7. Photo: *Bich Phuong*

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that international cooperation in tourism between countries and regions in recent times has contributed significantly to the recovery and development of tourism in Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country. The tourism industry has recorded positive signs of recovery. Vietnam welcomed more than 87 million visitors in the first 8 months of 2023, equal to 70% compared to 2019, international visitors were 7.8 million, 5.4 times higher than the same period in 2022. Total revenue from tourism reached more than 482 trillion VND.

Ho Chi Minh City alone welcomed nearly 25 million visitors in the first 8 months of the year, reaching 63% compared to 2019, including nearly 3 million international visitors, up 105.2% over the same period last year, tourism revenue reached more than 100,000 billion VND.

The Chairman of the City People's Committee affirmed the important role of the Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair in attracting international visitors to Vietnam, increasing the flow of visitors between countries and optimizing tourism income.

"The results of the first 8 months of 2023 have not met the forecast in terms of visitors, revenue and tourism's contribution to socio-economic development. Therefore, it is necessary to consider many aspects when forecasting, especially correctly assessing the unpredictable developments that are taking place to have appropriate approaches and adaptations. That is also one of the goals we hope to achieve at this year's Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair," said Mr. Mai.

One of the important tasks of the 17th ITE HCMC is to expand the market share of international tourists to Vietnam and create a breakthrough in tourism promotion. The fair is the only international tourism event in Vietnam with an International Buyers program, helping foreign tourism businesses expand their markets and find tourism partners in Vietnam and the lower Mekong region.

One of the highlights of ITE HCMC 2023 is the tourism promotion activities of countries and international destinations such as the program introducing Chilean tourism, experiencing a different Korea, and introducing Japanese tourism.

In addition, the fair aims to provide solutions for sustainable tourism development. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism organizes professional forums and tourism seminars with the participation of many domestic and international experts.

Visitors to the public consumption fair will receive incentives from travel agencies, airlines, restaurants, and hotels when purchasing stimulus tours, cheap air tickets, and lucky draws. This year's fair is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors.

Bich Phuong

Source link