VietnamÕs most important and established travel event, the International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC), is excited to return for the 13th year from September 7-9 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC).
The annual ITE HCMC is the key international tourism event in Vietnam, and the largest event of its kind in the Mekong subregion for both inbound and outbound markets. Recognised as VietnamÕs one and only National Tourism Event by the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, it is also the only travel event endorsed by the Tourism Alliance of all five countries in the Mekong Region.
The first two days of the event are catered to trade professionals, and the third day to trade visitors as well as the public; special promotions, travel packages, stage activities and performances will especially enthrall the latter with wanderlust.
The global tourism industry under one roof
Following the success of last yearÕs edition, and the positive positioning of Vietnam as the latest tourism hotspot, the Organisers of ITE HCMC 2017 are expecting an overall increase of 20 per centÊin participation from last year.
This yearÕs event will host a multitude of national pavilions, and current confirmed participation include those of Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, with many more to be announced soon.
The confirmed exhibitors currently include airlines, hotels and resorts, tour companies, and travel representatives from countries like Australia, Cambodia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and Vietnam.
Companies like Ben Thanh Tourist, Berlin Tourismus and Kongress GMBH, Fidi Tour, FLC Group, India Tourism, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization (KTPO), Lien Hoa Group, Medical Excellence Japan, Ministry of Tourism Cambodia, Ministry of Tourism of Republic Indonesia, Minor Hotel, Muong Thanh Hospitality, Penang Tourism, Plumeria Maldives, Prince Hotels, Saigon Tourist, Taiwan Tourism, Thailand Authority Tourism, Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tour Diamond Travels & Tours, Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia Pacific Cities (TPO), Traveltek, TTC Hospitality, Turkish Embassy Tourism and Information Office, Union of Myanmar Travel Association, Vietravel, Wendy Tour and more, will also be present at the event.
Seminars, industry networking, & business exchange
ITE HCMC is more than just an exhibition; apart from an array of networking events,Êit will also host a series of high-powered seminars on topics relating toÊemergingÊtravel and tourism, likeÊtourismÊsustainability, travel technology,Êsocial media forÊtourism and hospitality, investment tourism development, and more.
Special business matching services, online pre-appointments, and buyer-seller meetings will provide exhibitors greater exposure and buyers more opportunities to discover that special tourism boost they are searching for. More than 3,600 meetings were conducted between buyer and sellers last year, and the Organisers expect the number to grow 15Êper centÊthis year.
Hosted buyers & media programme
Organisers of the ITE HCMC will also invite and host at the event 300 international and regional travel buyers from 50 major markets like Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, US and many others.
The Hosted Buyer Programme allows buyers, from leisure, corporate, MICE, luxury, and special interest travel companies to enjoy pre-show and post-show tours to explore Vietnam; make pre-appointment bookings with sellers online; engage in buyer-seller meetings and attend various networking functions. All hosted buyers are carefully selected and approved by an advisory board with the ITE HCMC Organising Committee.
Additionally, the Organisers will also invite and host 50 international media partners from prominent travel, lifestyle, tourism, and broadcast platforms, as well as award-winning travel bloggers and social media professionals. Some of the activities the media would be invited to include dinners, networking events, and also pre-show and post-show tours showcasing the beauty of Vietnam.
Fascinating attractions tour programme for hosted buyers and media
As part of their hosted programme, Hosted Buyers and Media will be treated to exclusive and unforgettable visits to some of VietnamÕs stunning provinces and sights. The itinerary includes:
Can Gio mangrove forest
Can Tho, the biggest city in Mekong delta region
Da Lat city
Phu Yen seaside town
Phan Thiet seaside town
Travel fun fair day for public visitors
Members of the public bitten by the travel bug can look forward to the last day of the event (on September 9) for a wonderful day filled with amazing travel promotions and packages on domestic and international destinations, performances, games and lucky draws.
Explore more of Vietnam & the world
The tourism sector will continue to be an important part of the VietnamÕs economic plan, with the country actively joining tourism promotion and co-operation activities abroad. ITE HCMC presents the best opportunities for buyers and exhibitors to jump on this rising tourism wave and bring their businesses to higher levels.
Mr Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, says: ÒLast yearÕs event was a spectacular one with more than 26,000 trade and public visitors, and 3,633 meetings arranged between buyers and sellers. There was a diverse variety of travel destinations and options available to both trade professionals and the public.
ÒWe are certain this year will be no different, if not more rewarding. Vietnam is an emerging tourist haven with new destinations and attractions promoted each year, and Hosted Media and Hosted Buyers can expect to explore more of Vietnam through the pre-show and post-show tours. We look forward to introducing our traditional Vietnamese warmth and hospitality to our international friends and guests.Ó
Bringing the world to Vietnam
Mr Jack Wei, General Manager of Informa Exhibitions and Co-Organiser of ITE HCMC, adds: ÒITE HCMCÕs stellar performance record throughout the decade is further strengthened by the success of the 2016 edition, and this has resulted in more exhibitors and buyers participating in this yearÕs event. My team and I are very excited to meet our new and old exhibitors, buyers and media friends, and we will extend all assistance and support to them.
ÒIn addition, VietnamÕs booming tourism industry is reaching even greater heights. According to an announcement by the United Nations World Tourism Organization thatÕs reported in a recent VietnamTourism.com article, Vietnam was ranked seventh in the list of the worldÕs top 20 fastest growing travel destinations. The country saw a 24.6 per centÊsurge in the number of foreign visitors in 2016 compared to the previous year.
ÒThis is an extremely encouraging trend that we believe will be sustained, and ITE HCMC will be the bridge to bring world to Vietnam, and vice versa.Ó
Government support
ITE HCMC is organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT); HCMC Department of Tourism; Vietnam Trade Fair & Advertising Joint Stock (VINEXAD); and Informa Exhibitions Pte Ltd.
It is also proudly supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia; Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR; Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, Myanmar; as well as Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Kingdom of Thailand; and endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Vietnam; and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.
Event details & pre-registration
DateÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ : September 7 & 8 (Trade Visitors)
September 9 (Trade and Public Visitors)
TimeÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ : 9am Ð 5pm
VenueÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ : Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC)
Pre-registration is now open, and trade & public visitors are strongly encouraged to pre-register at www.itehcmc.com before the event to skip the long queues at the door.
