International Travel Expo HCMC 2012 Attracts Over 500 Businesses

The organising committee of the International Travel Expo HCMC 2012 (ITE HCMC) has almost completed preparations for the expo to take place in September with over 500 local and foreign business firms taking part.

Participants in ITE HCMC 2012 are active in the sectors of travel, aviation, hotel and travel service and from 30 countries and territories.

The expo will also attract some 200 international customers from big markets such as Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Wednesday has a meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City government to discuss preparations for the event.

According to the organising committee, the “Four Countries-One Destination” expo will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in the city’s District 7 from September 13 to 15.

Together with display booths and meetings with partners, this year’s expo will have a special program for outbound service providers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Unlike previous expos, ITE HCMC 2012 will focus on both inbound tourism and outbound tourism of the sub-Mekong region. Besides, ITE HCMC 2012 will include cultural activities to promote tourism with Cambodia Night, Laos Night and art performances of Malaysia.

One of the main activities is the first ministerial conference between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam with an aim to boost tourism cooperation among the four countries under an informal agreement between tourism ministers last year.