COUNTDOWN TO ITE HCMC 2022 – WHERE TOURISM INDUSTRY “GROWING FORWARD TOGETHER”
Vietnam has continually been among the places with the fastest growth in international searches, attracting nearly 1 million international visitors in the first 7 months of the year. The 16th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo in 2022 (ITE HCMC 2022) which happens from 08 – 10 September is expected to be a gather place for tourism industry to connect and promote inbound tourism of Vietnam and Mekong sub-region.
Tourism recovery after 2 years of “hibernation” due to the pandemic
According to Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam welcomed 954,000 international arrivals in the first 7-month of 2022, an increase of nearly 9 times compared to the same period in 2021. With this result, the average monthly growth rate in the past 7 months reached 62% per month. Since the beginning of 2022, Vietnam has also continuously been in the group of top-growing tourist destinations in the world, enjoying a growth rate of 50% – 75%.
The first 7-month of 2022 saw tourism activities in Ho Chi Minh City flourishing. Ho Chi Minh City is the most favorite domestic travel destination according to Agoda’s report based on booking data of travelers from May to August 2022. Domestic tourists in the first 7-month of 2022 are estimated at 13.3 million arrivals, an increase of 71.73% over the same period in 2021. International visitors to Ho Chi Minh City in the first 7-month of 2022 are estimated at 765,585 arrivals, an increase of 100% over the same period in 2021, reaching 21.87% of the 2022 plan. Total tourism revenue in the first 7-month of 2022 is estimated at VND 60,379 billion, increasing by 57.82% over the same period in 2021, reaching 75.5% compared to the plan for 2022.
To take advantage of “the golden time” of tourism recovery, besides actively participating in international tourism fairs in other countries, Vietnam’s tourism will be introduced at exhibitions and tourism promotion activities, including ITE HCMC – one of the two largest annual international tourism exhibition in Vietnam, as well as an important annual tourism exhibition in Mekong sub-region, sponsored by the Tourism Alliance of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
ITE HCMC 2022 – where Tourism Industry “Growing Forward Together”
After 2 years of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 16th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2022) will officially return with the theme “Growing Forward Together” for 3 days from September 8 to 10, 2022 at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. ITE HCMC 2022 is expected to be a breakthrough opportunity, creating momentum for Vietnamese tourism businesses, playing a bridging role between domestic businesses and international buyers as well as international visitors. ITE HCMC 2022 will bring together more than 1,500 domestic and international delegates who are management agencies, travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and resorts and industry experts.
Until now, the Expo recorded the number of registered booths up to 260 booths, from which 80% are domestic exhibitors, and 20% are international exhibitors. Especially, with the presence of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotion Centers of 41 provinces and cities (An Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Ca Mau, Can Tho City, Da Nang City, Dak Nong, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Hanoi City, Ha Tinh, Hai Phong City, Ho Chi Minh City, Thua Thien – Hue, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kontum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lao Cai, Long An, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Thanh Hoa, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc) will certainly bring a successful expo in both expertise and scale.
ITE HCMC is the only international tourism event in Vietnam that organize International Hosted Buyer Program. The International Hosted Buyer Program offers an opportunity for international tourism businesses who plan to expand their business and aim to bring tourists to Vietnam, as well as find tourism partners in Vietnam and Mekong sub-region. ITE HCMC 2022 attracted over 500 international tourism businesses registered for Hosted Buyer Program, and after strict selection process which advised by tourism experts such as Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air, and other international airlines, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and leading tourism businesses, the Organization Committee has selected and invited over 150 international buyers from 18 countries and territories, specifically Australia, USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Romania, Poland, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Kuwait – key and potential inbound travel markets for Vietnam. Thereby, the 16th ITE HCMC promises to open more than 6,000 B2B meetings between buyers and exhibitors.
ITE HCMC 2022 also received the attention and support of more than 50 domestic media partners and 20 international hosted media from 10 countries: the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Turkey.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa – Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism shared: “The number of international visitors to Vietnam is increasing steady, which is the positive signals about growth for the peak period at the end of the year. As the leading international tourism event in Vietnam and the region, ITE HCMC 2022 is constantly improving in terms of scale and quality, and commit to accompany tourism authorities and businesses to promote products and services to domestic and international tourists, actively promoting the recovery of tourism in Vietnam and the region. It is worth taking that the World Travel Award has selected Ho Chi Minh City as the host city for Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony of World Travel Award 2022, within the framework of ITE HCMC 2022. This reinforces the position of Ho Chi Minh City on the world map of tourism.”
Within the framework of this year’s Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo, High-Level Dialogue on Tourism Cooperation will be held – with the participation of leaders of ministries in charge of tourism in Mekong sub-region, India, and Cuba, Vietnam MICE Forum – with the participation of leaders of UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, AFECA – Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Association, and leading experts of MICE tourism industry, Dialogue with Editors-in-Chief, Vietnam Night – Gala Dinner “Dear Gạo”, Cambodia Night hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Korea Night hosted by the Representative Office of Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam, and a series of Seminars on key and potential tourist markets, Seminar on digital transformation in tourism, and a series of events on tourism destination marketing – with the participation of domestic and regional tourism experts, ITE HCMC Tourism Awards,… In addition, during the 3 days of the events, visitors can enjoy many exciting activities such as: Local Experiences, cultural performances, lucky draw for the public visitors… The Expo is expected to attract more than 22,000 visitors, including 10,000 trade visitors and 12,000 public visitors.
After the Expo, international hosted buyers will participate in post-show tour where they can experience new tourism products of Ho Chi Minh City and products of regional linkages between Ho Chi Minh City and provinces to promote “one journey – many destinations” initiative.
This Expo will also introduce the official website of ITE HCMC 2022. With a friendly interface, visitors can quickly and easily access the latest information about the Expo such as conferences, seminars, sub-events, floor plan as well as a list of exhibitors, promotions of exhibitors…
The event was executed under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, organized by the Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City Promotion Tourism Centre with CIS Vietnam Company and Le Bros Company coordinated in its execution.
Sponsorship: This year, ITE HCMC 2022 is honored to receive the companionship of businesses, including:
▪ Diamond Sponsor: Vietnam Airlines – Official Airline; Saigontourist Group
▪ Gold sponsors: GEM Center, Nova Hospitality, Renaissance River Saigon.
▪ Other sponsors: ACV, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air, Vietravel, Sofitel, Dien Quan Group/ColorMan Food, etc.
(Attach the list of Sponsors)
Mr. Trinh Ngoc Thanh – Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines said: “Vietnam Airlines is proud to accompany ITE HCMC for 16 consecutive years. Together, we contributed to promoting tourism, the country, and people of Vietnam to both domestic and foreign tourists. Participating in ITE HCMC 2022 as Diamond Sponsor & Official Airline, we continue to affirm the role and responsibility of the national airline. At the same time, we wish to bring customers more benefits and choices in each journey with our extensive flight network and modern fleet. ITE HCMC is also a good opportunity for us to meet tourism agencies from international markets, to find and learn about new and potential partners, customers, and to cooperate to create new, high quality and attractive products; thereby promoting the development of all parties as well as contributing to the rapid and strong recovery of tourism, economy and society of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam as a whole after the pandemic.”
Information & Events:
Exhibition date:
▪ 09h00 – 16h00, September 8-9, 2022: Open for trade visitors only, registration required.
▪ 16h00 – 19h00, September 8-9, 2022: Opens for trade visitors and public visitors, registration required.
▪ 09:00 – 19:00, September 10, 2022: Opens for public visitors, registration required.
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:
▪ Vietnam MICE Forum – in collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham).
▪ Vietnam Night – Gala Dinner “Dear Gạo”
▪ Award Ceremony “World Travel Award” (World Travel Award)
▪ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
▪ High-level Conference on tourism development policy.
▪ Dialogue with the Editor-in-Chief
▪ Cambodia Night – hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia
▪ Korea Night – hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization in Vietnam.
▪ Seminar series on key and the potential tourist market (India & Middle East).
▪ Seminar on digital transformation in tourism
▪ Series of events on destination marketing
▪ ITE HCMC Award 2022
▪ Travel Fun Fair Day
For more information, please visit the website www.itehcmc.travel./.