PRESS RELEASE

19 Aug 2022

ITE HCMC 2022: A breakthrough in attracting

international tourists to Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh, June 3rd, 2022 – The 16th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2022) takes place from 8th to 10th September 2022 at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) – 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. ITE HCMC offers Vietnamese and international tourism businesses an opportunity to re-connect, network, exchange experiences and share insights. Moreover, ITE HCMC 2022 is expected to propose outstanding solutions for inbound tourism to rebound and showcase astonishing images of Vietnam to international tourist markets.

Challenges in attracting international tourists to Vietnam

Vietnam officially opened border for international tourists from 15th March 2022 with many open-door policies. Statistics from Vietnam National Administration of Tourism show that international visitors to Vietnam increased sharply in April and May. Vietnam welcomed 80.000 tourists in April 2022 and 172.900 tourists in May 2022. Thus, in the first 5 months of 2022, the total number of tourists to Vietnam is 365.300. It is 4.5 times higher than that of the same period last year but is still far behind the expectation (5 million international tourists in 2022).

The main causes for this issue are: the Russia – Ukraine war has led to the loss of tourists from these 2 countries; the tourism costs have increased but tourists’ income has declined due to the effect of the high inflation rate, which directly affects the Europe market; tourists from major markets also concern about safety when traveling to Vietnam, etc.

Many major markets have not returned to normal such as China, which is still restricting tourism activities due to the “Zero-Covid” policy, or South Korea, which has allowed international tourism (without quarantine) only since April 1st 2022. Besides that, Japan and Taiwan still require tourists to be quarantined when coming back from certain countries. Therefore, opportunities to grow the international tourism market are still limited.

On the other hand, few abstract reasons can explain why the number of international tourists is below expectations. One of the reasons is that Vietnam has not done any sizable activities to promote the nation’s tourism internationally. Most promoting activities are executed through the media by domestic businesses which did not work out.

Under those circumstances, the 16th ITE HCMC is expected to be a breakthrough in publicizing Vietnam tourism to the world. After 2 years of stagnation due to the global pandemic, the return of ITE HCMC will become a milestone in attracting inbound tourists to Vietnam in the near future.

ITE HCMC 2022: A breakthrough in attracting international tourists to Vietnam

ITE HCMC 2022 returns with the theme “Growing Forward Together” as organizers expect to attract thousands of visitors, international customers, and exhibiting units. This is an exceptional occasion to exchange and explore opportunities for the development of the post-pandemic tourism industry.

After COVID-19 pandemic, this is a valuable chance to promote Vietnam’s iconic images as well as Ho Chi Minh City tourism to international and domestic tourists. In addition, travel agencies can come abroad and collaborate with the goal to improve supply and demand in tourism. This year, the organizers have decided to focus on bringing outstanding quality to the expo. Furthermore, the exhibit is targeting to become the pioneer in promoting inbound tourism with the most updated technology such as international online transactions.

“With the aim to recover tourism after COVID-19, ITE HCMC 2022 is one of the key travel events to promote Vietnam and Mekong sub-region to international businesses and visitors. We are actively inviting quality international buyers, corporations, partners, as well as travel professionals to attend to network and explore new business opportunities. The event expects to be an abundant source of international visitors from well-known markets as well as new markets to Vietnam in the coming time. With the conceptual innovations, ITE HCMC 2022 will surely maintain the position of the crucial annual tourism event in Vietnam and the Mekong region”, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism affirmed.

Mr. Vo Anh Tai, Deputy General Director of Saigontourist Group expressed: “Saigontourist Group believes ITE HCMC 2022 will be one of the effective, strong and attractive tourism promotion activities and events, and indeed an important impetus for tourism rebound and development of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam. With the presence of many leading national and international speakers, guests, and experts, ITE HCMC 2022 is expected to bring to travel professionals many seminars providing useful information, experience and insights. The exhibition space is arranged scientifically and logically with creative, modern and impressively booths, ITE HCMC 2022 will definitely attract great attention from public, tourism professionals, and a large number of visitors.”

Mr. Lee Jae Hoon, Chief Representative of Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam shared: “ITE HCMC is a very good platform for Korean travel businesses to connect and network with leading travel agents and operators in Vietnam, as well as a platform for provinces in Korea to showcase diverse destinations and colorful cultures closer to Vietnamese tourists. In the framework of ITE HCMC 2022, Korea Tourism Organisation in Vietnam will organize the Korea Night on 09 September 2022. The Korea Night will be a remarkable event to strengthen the partnership between Korea and Vietnam and celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1992-2022). This event is expected to boost tourism activities and explore business opportunities in the near future.”

Mr. Derek Chou, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau – Ho Chi Minh City Office: “Vietnam is one of Taiwan’s most important tourism markets. I am very delighted to find out that the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo 2022 will be officially held this year after 2-years of pausing due to the epidemic. Taiwan is expected to organize a grand delegation to participate in ITE HCMC 2022 to promote Taiwan tourism.”

According to information from the Organizers, domestic and international tourism businesses who register to exhibit at ITE HCMC 2022 will receive many attractive promotions and benefits.

The event is organized under the guidelines of the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, supported by Tourism Alliance of Mekong sub-region, organized by Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, together with CIS Vietnam and LeBros.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Exhibition date:

09h00 – 16h00, 8 – 9 September 2022: Open for Trade Visitor

16h00 – 19h00, 8 – 9 September 2022: Open for Trade Visitor and Public Visitor

09h00 – 19h00, 10 September 2022: Open for Public Visitor

The last day is open to the public and is called the Travel Fun Fair Day, with a series of attractive travel packages, promotional airfares, art shows and exciting minigames. guide for visitors.

Venue: Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Event highlights: