Travel expo looks to sustainable tourism development
Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM), the leading travel event for the country, kicked off in Hanoi on April 3 with 665 companies from 22 countries and territories showcasing their products in 508 stalls.
This is the second time the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanoi has organised the event, providing an opportune occasion for domestic tourism companies to promote trademarks, and sell products and services directly to customers.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam called on ministries, departments, associations and the Vietnamese public to join hands to develop a domestic tourism trademark and transform Vietnam into a premiere attractive, safe and hospitable tourist destination of the world.
He affirmed that the event contributes significantly to the development of sustainable tourism in the country, acknowledging that the sector has made strong progress in achieving sustainable tourism in recent years, despite the global economic slowdown.
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The number of foreign arrivals to the country grew by more than 29% in the first quarter of this year and its turnover increased by more than 30%.
People in countries throughout the world, including Vietnam, should strengthen cooperation to promote sustainable tourism development, Dam concluded.
VITA Vice Chairman Vu The Binh said the fair is expected to attract around 3,000 companies seeking cooperation partners and around 50,000 consumers desirous of purchasing promotional tours and services.
The fair includes attractive consumer promotions with aviation agents offering 15,000 tickets costing from VND199,000 on international routes and VND330,000 on domestic routes, and travel agents offering 8,000 promotional tours with a 60% discount.
