As one of the most influential annual tourism expeditions in the Asia region, the 18th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2024) officially opened on the morning of September 5, 2024, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.
Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam, and Mr. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; along with former leaders of the Party, the Government, the Central Economic Commission, tourism leaders from various countries, and leaders from provinces and cities in Vietnam and abroad.
Over three days, from September 5 to 7, 2024, the ITE HCMC 2024 will welcome 700 leaders from leading global tourism organizations and businesses from 38 countries and territories.
In the welcoming speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung - Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Municipal People's Committee - highlighted that the tourism trend linked to environmental protection, natural resource conservation, and cultural heritage preservation is essential for the sustainable development of the tourism industry.
After more than two years of recovery, the global tourism industry has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in the first quarter of 2024, there were over 285 million international tourists globally, reaching 97% of pre-pandemic levels. Asia-Pacific alone reached 82% of pre-pandemic levels. In Vietnam, in the first seven months of 2024, the total number of international visitors reached nearly 10 million, a 51% increase compared to the same period last year and an almost 2% increase compared to the same period in 2019. Along with the recovery in visitor numbers, travel trends have also undergone significant changes.
According to the 2023 Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com, 80% of global survey participants confirmed that sustainable travel is becoming increasingly important to them. In Vietnam, 97% of Vietnamese tourists surveyed expressed a desire to travel more sustainably in the next 12 months, 75% were willing to pay more for certified sustainable travel options, and 83% hoped to help make destinations greener and cleaner after their visits.
Following this global trend and fulfilling the Vietnamese Government's commitment to Net Zero emissions, Vietnam has implemented numerous programs and plans for sustainable development across all sectors, including tourism.
“To continue concretizing the goal of sustainable development, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City have selected the theme “Sustainable Travel - Creating Future” for the 18th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2024. This demonstrates Vietnam's commitment, specifically Ho Chi Minh City's, to effectively implementing tourism development activities aligned with the 17 sustainable development goals of UNESCO. The aim is to reduce emissions and protect natural and cultural environments in every activity of the Expo, including the High-Level Forum with the theme “Green transformation, Net Zero travel & tourism - creating the future,” six thematic seminars on sustainable tourism development, exhibitions, business networking events, surveys, and other supportive activities.”...
Under the theme “Sustainable Travel - Creating Future,” ITE HCMC 2024 aims for countries, regions, territories, governments, and businesses to continue pursuing sustainable development goals, rapidly and decisively implementing effective tourism development plans at both national and local levels while contributing to global emission reduction efforts, protecting natural resources, and preserving both living and cultural environments for current and future generations.
The Expo will also discuss solutions and initiatives to clarify Vietnam's vision for strategic tourism and especially Ho Chi Minh City's role in developing a sustainable tourism identity that balances economic benefits with cultural, social, and environmental values.
ITE HCMC 2024 is an invaluable opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to update and learn from international experiences for the implementation of policies to develop the tourism industry, significantly as the city accelerates the implementation of National Assembly’s Resolution 98/2023/QH15 on piloting specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City.
Aiming to provide solutions and policies to drive sustainable tourism development
ITE HCMC 2024 is proud to be a prestigious tourism Expo, gathering hundreds of senior leaders and tourism experts from domestic and international markets for in-depth seminars and forums. This success results from close collaboration between the ITE HCMC Organizing Committee and various Ministries and Agencies to connect influential leaders and experts who will discuss new tourism trends, challenges, and business opportunities.
In the context of sustainable tourism as the “key” to enhancing destination competitiveness, under the theme “Sustainable Travel—Creating Future,” ITE HCMC 2024 will collaborate with domestic and international agencies to host nine in-depth seminars and forums over two days from September 5 to 6. These events will offer profound insights, specialized knowledge, and practical experience to deliver practical solutions and propose effective policies and strategies to contribute to the promotion of sustainable tourism development.
One program that attracted the attention of both domestic and international speakers and the media is the High-Level Tourism Forum: “Green Transformation, Net Zero Travel & Tourism Creating the Future”, consisting of two discussion sessions. Speakers and attendees will exchange ideas on Net Zero and the role of green transformation in tourism development, thereby proposing solutions to achieve green transformation and develop Net Zero tourism in the tourism industry.
The seminar “Empowering Local Communities through Sustainable Tourism”, co-organized by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the UN Tourism Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific (UN Tourism RSOAP), will update participants on trends in community-based tourism and the practical development of community-based tourism in the Mekong Delta region. Participants will share successes and challenges in community-based tourism projects through presentations and discussions.
In addition, other prominent specialized seminars and workshops include:
- The seminar "Application of AI in International Communication and Sustainable Tourism," co-organized by PR Newswire;
- The workshop “Net Zero Tourism Database and Practice Criteria,” co-organized by HCMC Tourism Magazine;
- The workshop “Orientation for Promoting Sustainable Tourism Development through ESG,” co-organized by Oxalis Adventure, Znews.vn Magazine, and VnExpress;
- The international conference “Promoting Responsible Tourism associated with Nature and Wildlife Protection and Saying no to Ivory,” co-organized by the World
- Wide Fund for Nature in Viet Nam (WWF-Vietnam);
- The seminar “The Power of Communication in Fostering Sustainable Development,” co-organized by the Vietnam Public Relations Network (VNPR);
- The seminar “Halal friendly Services - Where the Global Halal Travel Meet,” co-organized by Vietnam National Halal Company;
- The seminar “Enhancing India Tourism through Culinary and Cultural Experiences,” co-organized by the Consulate General of India.
Promoting growth in international tourist markets to Vietnam
ITE HCMC 2024 has seen impressive growth this year, with the number of exhibiting units reaching 480. Domestic exhibitors make up 77%, while international exhibitors account for 23%. Many international exhibitors have large, well-invested booths, demonstrating significant interest in and high regard for the Vietnamese tourism market.
One of the critical highlights of ITE HCMC is the International Buyer Program, which saw a 10% increase in international buyers compared to last year. 220 international buyers from 33 countries and territories will set up over 10,000 B2B trade meetings, providing opportunities for networking, negotiations, and signing future ko cooperation agreements. Besides crucial tourism markets such as Australia, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, India, the Middle East…, for the first time, ITE HCMC 2024 will welcome international buyers from Brazil, the Czech Republic, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Notably, the participation of leading global travel corporations such as Flight Center Travel Group (Australia), Intrepid (Australia), Collette (USA), and Exim Tour, part of the DERTour Group (Germany), will create significant opportunities to expand and promote international tourist markets to Vietnam, while further elevating the image and position of ITE HCMC in the Asia region.
Throughout 18 editions, ITE HCMC has consistently grown and expanded in scale. This further underscores the crucial role of trade promotion activities in developing the international tourist market to Vietnam, creating opportunities for promotion and connecting businesses worldwide operating in the fields of aviation, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, and tourism management – all of which are facilitated by ITE HCMC 2024.
Enhancing the promotion of Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and tourism
To promote and introduce Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and tourism to international delegates and tourists, ITE HCMC 2024 will offer unique experiential tours for international buyers and the media. 11 tours, lasting from one to two days, will explore cultural and historical monuments, eco-tourism sites, and culinary experiences. These tours have already attracted over 400 registered delegates.
Additionally, for the first time, the world’s leading television network, CNN, will broadcast the event live on its Marketplace Asia program, and the presence of over 54 international media agencies from 10 countries and territories will contribute to spreading the image of Vietnam, showcasing its cultural, culinary, and tourism features to the world.
As part of the Expo, the “Travel Fun Fair Day,” an event for the public on September 7, will feature a travel shopping promotion program from travel agencies, restaurants, hotels, services, and airlines. Customers can purchase tours and book services at the most preferential prices and discounts of the year.
ITE HCMC 2024 is honored to have the companionship of strategic partners: Vietnam Airlines - Diamond Sponsor and Official Airline; Saigontourist Group - Diamond Sponsor; Nam A Bank - Gold Sponsor; Airports Corporation of Vietnam – ACV, GEM Center, and other partners: Vietjet, Emirates, Vietravel Airlines, Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel, Le Meridien Hotel, Mobifone; and the strong support of airlines such as Air China, China Southern Airlines... in inviting potential tourism businesses to send visitors to Vietnam and participate in the International Buyer Program.