Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, August 15, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2024) is set to become one of Asia’s most influential travel expos, driven by participation from leading global organizations and businesses, increased attention from prestigious international media, and continuous enhancements to its International Hosted Buyer Program.
The event will take place from September 5th to 7th, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“We position Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam not just as tourist destinations, but a central tourism hub for the Asia,” said Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism. “ITE HCMC 2024 aims to elevate its regional stature, fostering greater collaboration with key domestic and international partners.”
Global Industry Players to Convene at ITE HCMC 20244
This year’s expo will, for the first time, will welcome the participation of prominent international travel businesses, including Flight Centre Travel Group (Australia), a Fortune 500 company with a presence in over 90 countries, and Intrepid Travel (Australia), recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential companies in 2023.
ITE HCMC is also attracting interest from major tourism markets, including the United States and Europe. Standout participants include Collette, America’s oldest travel company with over a century of expertise in luxury tours, and Exim Tours of the DERTour Group, a leading European travel service provider with a vast network of international partners. The presence of these industry heavyweights is set to boost the expo’s global prestige.
CNN to Cover a Vietnamese Tourism Event for the First Time
CNN will cover the expo for its Marketplace Asia program, marking the first time the network dedicates extensive resources to a Vietnamese tourism event. This coverage will elevate ITE HCMC 2024’s international profile, creating opportunities for promotion and collaboration.
ITE HCMC 2024 is supported by over 40 international media agencies from 10 countries and territories.
Enhanced quality and impact of Hosted Buyer
Over 450 exhibiting companies and brands have registered for the event, and 200 international buyers from 33 countries and territories have confirmed participation in the exclusive International Hosted Buyer Program – expected a 10% increase from 2023. This growth underscores ITE HCMC’s role as a key platform for international business connections.
This year, ITE HCMC 2024 continues to attract a diverse group of international buyers, including industry leaders, tour operators, travel and tourism professionals, destination management companies, travel technology firms, and airlines, all actively or potentially driving tourism to Vietnam. Each Hosted Buyer undergoes a rigorous vetting process to ensure high-quality participation. These buyers, focused on sourcing and negotiating products and services, not only expand market reach and create business opportunities but also significantly contribute to economic development.
Over the three-day event, ITE HCMC will facilitate 10,000 B2B meetings tailored to participants’ business needs, ensuring optimal matchmaking and maximizing outcomes. An online scheduling system, available from August 20th to September 20th, allows international buyers to arrange meetings in advance, reducing on-site wait times. The ITE HCMC App has been upgraded with AI-powered matchmaking and QR code scanning for instant partner information, enhancing efficiency and supporting the event’s eco-friendly goals.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism for Greater Destination Competitiveness
Vietnam’s tourism industry aims to become a key economic driver and a world-leading destination by 2030, fueled by sustainable growth. By 2045, the country plans to solidify tourism as a cornerstone of the economy, ranking among the top in the Asia-Pacific. Targets include welcoming 70 million international visitors, generating 7,300 trillion VND in revenue, and contributing 17-18% to GDP.
To support these objectives, ITE HCMC 2024 has adopted the theme “Sustainable Travel, Creating Future”,reflecting the strategic vision of Vietnam’s tourism industry, both nationally and in Ho Chi Minh City. This vision emphasizes sustainable tourism development, harmonizing economic benefits with cultural, social, and environmental preservation.
While the concept of “Sustainable tourism” is well-established, its practical implementation remains a complex challenge, demanding ongoing commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders. The theme’s emphasis on “Creating future” underscores the strategic view that sustainable tourism involves not only preserving cultural, historical, and natural values but also fostering innovation and creative approaches to ensure their continued growth and development.
ITE HCMC 2024 will focus on promoting practical solutions and supportive policies for sustainable tourism while creating collaborative opportunities for regions, countries, and communities to work together towards a sustainable future through tourism.
By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, ITE HCMC 2024 is poised to serve as a catalyst for attracting tourists to Vietnam and the wider region, fostering responsible tourism practices and generating long-term value for communities and the environment.
Furthermore, a series of seminars, conferences, and forums will be held on September 5th and 6th, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, to offer practical solutions and propose effective policies and strategies for promoting sustainable tourism development. Topics of discussion will include “Net Zero Travel & Tourism – Creating future”, “Empowering local communities through sustainable tourism”, “Orienting sustainable tourism development through ESG”, “The power of communication in fostering sustainable development”, and “Workshop on promoting responsible tourism associated with wildlife protection and no ivory trade”, etc. Public events with attractive prizes will also be held at 4:30 PM on September 5th and 6th, and throughout September 7th.
Running concurrently with ITE HCMC 2024, the Gifts Show HCMC, organized by the Department of Industry and Trade, will take place for 3 days at Hall A2 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC), featuring 100 booths. Furthermore, to foster a strong link between shopping and tourism, and to position Ho Chi Minh City as a premier luxury shopping destination, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade is launching the “Shopping Season 2024 City Sale” program in conjunction with ITE HCMC. This program will run from August 30th to September 8th at three major shopping centers: Union Square, Saigon Centre, and SC VivoCity, offering a diverse range of products with discounts up to 80%.
ITE HCMC 2024 is proud to announce its strategic partners: Vietnam Airlines as the Diamond Sponsor and Official Airline; Saigontourist Group as the Diamond Sponsor; Nam A Bank as Gold Sponsor; Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), GEM Center, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon as Bronze Sponsors and valued partners: Vietjet, Emirates, Vietravel Airlines, Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel, Le Meridien Hotel; Mobifone and Air China and China Southern Airlines for their invaluable assistance in inviting potential travel businesses to send clients to Vietnam and the region to participate in the International Buyer Program.
Mr. Dang Anh Tuan, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines, stated: “Our partnership with ITE HCMC 2024 reinforces our role in promoting connectivity and sustainable growth within Vietnam’s tourism industry. We are committed to showcasing Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and expanding our international flight network to enhance global access to Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations across Vietnam. Additionally, Vietnam Airlines is dedicated to implementing sustainable practices across our operations, underscoring our leadership in advancing sustainability within the aviation and tourism sectors.”