The HCM City Department of Tourism kicked off the city’s Tourism Day 2017 at Le Van Tam Park, District 1 on March 23, gathering 80 travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and hospitality colleges from across the country.

The HCM City Tourism Day 2017 was kicked off at Le Van Tam Park, District 1 on March 23.

The event, themed “Hello Summer 2017”, features 170 booths and an area for startup business to introduce successful startups in tourism and hospitality and support policies for startups. “Startup Wheel 2017” – a competition for startup ideas will be launched.

More than 30 companies, including tour operators, hotels, resorts and airlines, offers visitors special discounts of up to 50 percent. About 1,000 free tickets to the Cu Chi Tunnel historical relic site are given to visitors, who also get 30 percent off admission to Suoi Tien Complex.

The festival also features musical performances to highlight beautiful landscapes and distinctive cultures of northwestern Vietnam in response to the National Tourism Year 2017 hosted by Lao Cai province.

A ceremony will be held on the sideline of the event to honour 100 leading tourism businesses in HCM City in line with a photo contest on the city’s beauty.

Speaking at the HCM City Tourism Day, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Bui Ta Hoang Vu said the event is significant to the city as it aims to fuel domestic tourism and gives a chance for local and overseas tour operators to promote their products.

VNA