Green tourism will be the main theme of the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2019, which is scheduled for March 27 – 30 in Hanoi.


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Organised by Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), the annual expo has so far received registration from businesses and travel management agencies across 39 provinces and cities nationwide as well as 22 countries and territories worldwide.  

Participating booths are expected to offer more than 18,000 tour packages and 40,000 air tickets with special discounts at the event.

The mart also covers forums, including one on green tourism, which will attract some 1,000 participants from public agencies, businesses and universities.

A forum on Vietnam’s outbound tourism will discuss hot topics in sending tourists overseas, in the context of the number of Vietnamese travelling to foreign countries increasing by 15-20 percent annually.

A forum on tourism jobs will also take place, with the participation of leading experts and successful businesspeople. It aims to help students gain career advice in the sector, which has a workforce lacking in both quality and quantity.  

The VITM 2019 will include road shows and programmes introducing destinations at home and abroad, an international street food festival, signing ceremonies for several cooperation deals and art performances.

VITA Vice Chairman Vu The Binh estimated that VITM will attract 85,000 visitors this year. Last year, it received 80,000.

The mart will take place at the International Exhibition Centre, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street.

Vietnam ready to host ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019


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Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Quang Tung (centre) addressing the press conference (Photo: vietnamtourism.gov.vn)


 

Vietnam and the northeastern province of Quang Ninh in particular are ready to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 (ATF 2019), which will take place in Ha Long city from January 14-18. 

The statement was made by Le Quang Tung, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism at a press conference in Hanoi on January 9.

Vietnam first hosted the ATF 10 years ago and this year’s edition is set to open opportunities for cooperation and promote the beauty of the people, countries and cultures in the region to international friends, he said. 

“ATF 2019 is the bridge that enhances ASEAN’s geopolitical position and its partners through bilateral and multilateral dialogues,” he noted.

With the theme of “ASEAN – The Power of One”, the forum is in line with ASEAN cooperation, towards a “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” bloc.

Vietnam has become a dynamic and prominent tourist destination that attracts visitors with its special values in culture and history, beautiful natural sceneries, friendly and hospitable people. In the ASEAN community, Vietnam’s tourism is closely linked with other member countries, aiming at prosperity and sustainable development, he said.

Tung affirmed that it is a chance for Vietnam to enhance its position in regional tourism cooperation and introduce its huge potential.

The ATF, established in 1981, is a regional effort to promote ASEAN as one tourist destination. The annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member states.

This year, the event will also include India, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia and China.

“Through the activities of the ATF, we will promote the common beauty of member country and each nation’s identity,” said Tung.

The ATF will boost ASEAN countries as a single, multifaceted destination, and a competitive and attractive tourist destination.

Its main activities include the ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meetings, ASEAN Tourism Conference, Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) and tours discovering UNESCO-recognised world natural heritage Ha Long Bay and neighbouring destinations.

During the forum, delegates will discuss some problems of the regional tourism such as human resources development, competitiveness improvement, sustainable tourism development, and investment attraction in tourism, Tung said. 

TRAVEX is set to take place on January 16-18, providing a platform for selling and buying regional and individual tourism products. It aims to make it convenient for suppliers of ASEAN tourism products and services and international buyers to conduct business and meet participants through appointment on-site. The event is expected to draw 290 buyers and 610 sellers.

In addition, to mark the occasion, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism will work with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to release a book entitled “Tourism Stories in Vietnam” in Vietnamese and English.


VNA