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Int’l Travel Expo
attracts tourism traders
International Travel Expo 2009,
the biggest travel exhibition event ever held in HCM City,
officially opened to traders yesterday.
The Expo (ITE
2009) is themed “Three Countries, One Destination.”
Up to 180
exhibitors including tourism authorities, airlines, hotels,
resorts, and travel operators from 11 countries and territories
as well as 19 provinces and cities of Vietnam have filled 150
booths at Phu Tho Stadium.
Nguyen Thi
Hong, Vice Chairwoman of the HCM City People’s Committee made a
welcome speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Also present
were the Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Hoang Anh Tuan, Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon and
Somphong Mongkhonvilay, Chairman of the Lao National Tourism
Administration.
“Three
Countries, One Destination is a marketing platform for Cambodia,
Laos and Vietnam. With support from Vietnam Airlines and with
HCMC as the travel hub for this initiative, Indochina will
definitely be a memorable tourist experience,” commented So
Mara, Vice Secretary of State and Assistant to the Prime
Minister and the Cambodia Tourism Bureau.
Bounma
Phetsavong, Vice Minister of the Laos National Tourism
Administration added, “We are heartened by this initiative as it
not only will strengthen ties amongst these three countries but
also will boost our economies.”
“This is a
smart move as many tourists coming from the U.S. would normally
spend 3 weeks or more in Asia. Thanks to this concerted effort,
travel to Vietnam becomes more attractive by promoting two more
beautiful Southeast Asian at the same time,” said Joe Mannix,
general manager of United Airlines, one of the airlines to
sponsor the event.
Tong Kim
Minh, sales manager of the 450-hectare entertainment park Dai
Nam Tourist World, told Thanh Nien, “Many foreign tour operators
were surprised by our booth as they did not know Vietnam had
such a big entertainment park. We have greeted more than 100
interested guests, a response I am happy with. We do not open
until April 30 of next year so we are primarily taking this
opportunity to get the word out on Dai Nam before the official
opening.”
Richelle
Nelson, a tour operator from Carlson Wagonlit Travel (USA), was
impressed with the fair.
“I’ve found
lots of useful information about travel in Vietnam as well as
around the region,” she said.
“The travel
company staffs are helpful, well trained and friendly. I’m so
impressed with the growth of luxury accommodation in the region
and I am pretty sure this will be the force that will push the
whole industry upwards.” She went on to comment that the
exhibition had given her many new tour ideas.
The
exhibition opens to the public on the afternoon of October 6 and
will end October 7.
Reported
by J.R. |
