Visitors and buyers will be spoilt for choice with a wide array of travel destinations and options from the exhibitors, which include the Department of Tourism for various Vietnamese provinces, National Tourism Organisations and Tourism Promotion Organisations from top travel destinations in Asia, as well as exhibitors from over 10 countries as far-flung as South Africa. The International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) will soon open its doors, and organisers are expecting over 300 international companies and brands to set up booth at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center this September 6 – 8.
The largest and most established annual international travel trade event in the Mekong sub-region is now in its 14th edition, and features services and products for both inbound and outbound markets.
Strong Participation From DOTs, NTOs, & TPOs
Confirmed participants include the Department of Tourism (DOT) for several Vietnamese provinces, as well as various National Tourism Organisations (NTO) and Tourism Promotion Organisations (TPO) from top travel destinations in Asia.
Over 30 DOTs from Vietnamese provinces and cities are expected to participate in this year’s ITE HCMC, like Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Danang, Daklak, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Hue, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Long An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Vung Tau.
Buyers and visitors will also find booths from India Tourism; Japan National Tourism Organization; Korea Tourism Organization; Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Laos; Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia; Ministry of Tourism of Republic Indonesia; Myanmar Tourism; Nagoya City; Penang Global Tourism; Taiwan Tourism Bureau Bangkok Office; Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Tourism Authority of Thailand (HCMC Office).
Confirmed International Exhibitors
Companies from the tourism hotspots of Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, will also be making their way to the exhibition.
They include Bedlinker, Ben Thanh Tourist Services JSC, Bhutan Herders Expedition; Cu Chi Tunel, Fidi Tour; FVG; Good Time Travel Taiwan; Kansai Airports; Komtom, Lac Viet Travel; Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA); Muong Thanh Group Joint Stock Company; Namibia Express Travel and Tours Info Centre; Prince Hotels (Thailand) Co., Ltd; Saigon Tourist Holding Company; South Pacific Travel; Sungroup, Traveltek Australia Ltd; Tugo Travel; VIAGS VNA; Vier Princess Cruise; Vietmap Travel; Vietravel; and Vinpearl.
Hosted Buyers and Hosted Media Programme
Three hundred Hosted Buyers have also been invited in the show’s International Hosted Buyers Programme, a long-standing and prominent feature in ITE HCMC. The buyers, like the exhibitors, will be able to book appointments with sellers online, conduct buyer-seller meetings, and attend various networking functions during the three-day event.
The B2B Buyer-Seller meetings are a highly efficient and popular feature with almost 5,300 meetings conducted in last year’s edition. Organisers anticipate a 15% increase in the B2B meetings this year.
All hosted buyers, from leisure, corporate, MICE, luxury, and special interest travel companies, are carefully selected and approved by an Advisory Committee comprising of travel industry professionals from independent parties in the region.
Thirty international hosted members of the media and bloggers from prominent travel, lifestyle, tourism, and broadcast platforms will also be present, and they will enjoy a customised itinerary programme featuring curated pre- and post-show tours to enjoy the best of Vietnam.
The Only Travel Event Endorsed by the Tourism Alliance
Since the first edition of ITE HCMC held in 2005, it has become a prime platform for local and international industry players and leading brands to showcase their latest tourism products and services; source for quality agents and distributors; and expand their business into Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region.
The event also provides attendees ample opportunities to build contacts, foster new relationships, and discover new business leads through activities and networking opportunities like the glitzy Grand Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner; exclusive buyer-seller meetings; business matching and online pre-appointments; as well as seminars on key tourist markets and other tourism-related topics.
Organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, VINEXAD Trade Fair & Advertising JSC, and Informa Exhibitions, the exhibition is the only travel event endorsed by the Tourism Alliance of all five countries in the Mekong sub-region.
This includes the support from the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia; the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR; the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, Myanmar; and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Kingdom of Thailand. It is also endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Vietnam; and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel Fun Fair For Public Visitors
While the first two days of the three-day event is open only to trade professionals, the last day of the event, September 8, is open to the public as the Travel Fun Fair Day, and visitors will be enthralled by various attractive travel packages, performances, and games.
ITE HCMC will be held September 6 – 8 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center. Please visit http://www.itehcmc.com for more information.
About ITE HCMC
The event, established in 2005, 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, attracting hundreds of international exhibitors and hosted buyers. Recognised as Vietnam’s 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. Trade and public visitors totaled over 30,000 in the last edition held in 2017. ITE HCMC 2018 is organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism; VINEXAD Trade Fair & Advertising JSC; and Informa Exhibitions.
