The 18th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City opens

For three days, the ITE HCMC 2024 gathers tourism organizations and businesses from 38 countries and territories. ITE HCMC 2024 has seen impressive growth, 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.

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.

One of the 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. 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 has welcomed international buyers from Brazil, the Czech Republic, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

To promote and introduce Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and tourism to international delegates and tourists, ITE HCMC 2024 offers unique experiential tours for international buyers and the media. These 11 tours lasting from one to two days to explore cultural & historical monuments, eco-tourism sites, and culinary experiences 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 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./.