The 18^th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2024 (ITE HCMC 2024), to be held from 5 – 7 September, 2024. With sustainability emerging as a critical competitive advantage, ITE HCMC 2024 has adopted the theme “Sustainable Travel – Creating the Future” to underscore its importance.

The premier travel trade event promises to provide travel and hospitality businesses with unparalleled access to innovative product ideas and business models to lead in the ever-growing sustainability trends. The expo will also serve as a platform for industry players, not just from Ho Chi Minh City but across Vietnam, to explore collaboration opportunities, adding value and enhancing traveller experiences.

Helping businesses tap into sustainable tourism

Recent surveys by leading global travel agencies reveal that consumers are increasingly aware of tourism’s negative impacts on the environment, society, and local culture. Consequently, they are more inclined to choose hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that integrate sustainability into every aspect of their businesses, ensuring benefits for both the environment and the community.

“Vietnam presents many opportunities for sustainable tourism development. However, many businesses still encounter difficulties in aligning with international sustainability criteria. ITE HCMC 2024 is designed to offer practical insights and effective solutions from both international and Vietnamese experts, aiding businesses in their sustainable tourism efforts,” said Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.

A series of workshops, conferences, and high-level forums will feature significant participation from government officials, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, regional tourism authorities, international travel agencies, MICE operators, luxury travel companies, and restaurants.

Speakers and attendees will discuss promoting sustainability through ESG principles, emphasizing responsible tourism that focuses on nature and wildlife conservation while opposing the ivory trade. Additionally, they will explore community-based tourism development. The goal of these discussions is to generate valuable initiatives that advance sustainable tourism in Vietnam.

Notably, the expo will feature a high-level Tourism Forum, themed “NET ZERO Tourism – Creating Future.” The forum is expected to yield actionable solutions and effective strategies that can contribute to the responsible and sustainable development of tourism and the economy.

Leading in collaboration

The key highlight of ITE HCMC 2024 will be its focus on positioning tourism as a dynamic economic sector that interconnects with many other sectors.

Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said, “Our aspiration is for every visitor to have the best time possible by seeing the most beautiful sights, dining on the finest food, and experiencing the most enjoyable moments throughout Vietnam, not just in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, or Da Nang. Achieving this requires effective collaboration among localities and businesses. ITE HCMC 2024 offers an ideal platform for travel and hospitality businesses to connect, explore, and expand their partnerships. This collaborative approach aligns perfectly with the Vietnamese government’s broader goal of transforming tourism into a leading economic sector, advancing green growth, and establishing the country as a premier destination.”

One of the main goals of ITE HCMC 2024 is to grow the international visitor market for Vietnam and increase tourist flows between countries, thereby maximizing tourism revenue. To achieve this, it is essential to strengthen international tourism cooperation by fostering effective connections between Vietnamese tourism businesses and those from Mekong River Basin countries and other global markets.”

With over 500 esteemed exhibitors and brands from domestic and international markets, the ITE HCMC 2024 is set to facilitate extensive and meaningful collaboration. The event will foster significant engagement among national and local tourism promotion agencies, tourism associations, research institutions, companies, travel agencies, major airlines and providers of hospitality and transportation services.

With extensive and diverse participation from across the regions, ITE HCMC 2024 underscores Ho Chi Minh City’s pivotal role in driving national tourism integration.

To date, nearly 300 participants from 38 provinces and cities in Vietnam have registered. Significant interest has come from South Korea, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan (China), Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, with notable increases from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. This demonstrates the growing prominence of ITE HCMC 2024, providing opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to penetrate overseas markets. The 2D online exhibition platform further facilitates connectivity for global clients, enabling buyers and exhibitors to easily schedule meetings through live chat and email features.

As the only expo in Vietnam with an international buyer program, ITE HCMC 2024 will welcome over 220 quality international buyers from 45 countries and territories. The event plans to host over 10,000 business meetings, providing valuable opportunities for direct B2B interactions between global and Vietnamese tourism businesses.

ITE HCMC 2024 has received valuable support from key partners, including Vietnam Airlines (ITE HCMC’s Official Airlines, Diamond Sponsor), the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel, Vietjet Air, Vietravel Airlines, and other international airlines. These partners play a crucial role in inviting travel agencies that organize tours to Vietnam and the region to participate in the International Buyer Program.

Having successfully hosted 17 editions, ITE HCMC is now the leading tourism event in the region. ITE HCMC 2024 aims to provide a vibrant platform for networking, business opportunities, and strategic partnerships for tourism professionals and stakeholders in Vietnam and globally.