The 2013 International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2013) kicked off in Ho
Chi Minh City on September 11, carrying the message “Five
Countries-One destination.”
The three-day exhibition aims to
facilitate tourism cooperation between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
In his opening remarks at
the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Anh Tuan said
as the largest and most professional tourism programme, the expo not
only promotes the tourism industry in the Mekong Sub-region but creates
an opportunity for businesses to expand the market.
On the
fringes of the event, there will be an array of activities such as the
first meeting of the five countries’ tourism ministers in the
Ayeyawadi-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), the
second conference for mayors of tourism cities in the lower Mekong
basin region and a conference on Vietnam-Russia tourism cooperation and
development.
Several workshops to introduce potential tourism
markets such as Germany and India, give guidelines for the
implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Agreement on Tourism
Professionals. Another for consumers is also scheduled to take place.
At the opening ceremony, the organising board presented awards
to the most outstanding units operating in the tourism sector.
Vietnam’s national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, together with
Thai Airways, Lao Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air were honoured on this
occasion.
The event is co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh City
Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National
Administration of Tourism.-VNA