More than 450 exhibitors and 200 international buyers from 33 countries and territories around the world are showcasing products at the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2024) that opened on September 5 in an effort to accelerate the sustainable growth of international arrivals to Vietnam.

In his opening speech, Nguyen Van Dung, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, highlighted the inevitable trend of the tourism industry in association with environmental protection towards the sustainable development goal.

ITE HCMC 2024 serves to demonstrate Vietnam’s strong commitments to effectively implementing tourism development activities in line with UNESCO’s 17 sustainable development criteria towards reducing emissions whilst protecting the natural environment and culture, said the official.

Themed “Sustainable Tourism – Creating the Future”, the three-day event is anticipated to become a driving force for countries as they continue pursuing sustainable development goals and effectively deploying sustainable tourism development plans.

One of the highlights of the expo is the International Buyers scheme, which has attracted the participation of 220 international buyers from 33 countries worldwide.

The programme is expected to set up more than 10,000 business-to-business (B2B) trade appointments as a way of further facilitating networking activities, negotiations, and the signing of future co-operation contracts.

Most notably, 400 delegates have so far registered for experiential tours to explore cultural and historical relics, eco-tourism areas, and culinary arts. Travel companies, restaurants, hotels, and airlines are scheduled to launch tourism stimulus schemes on September 7.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed nearly 10 million foreign arrivals during the January-July period, up 51% year on year and up nearly 2% against the same period from 2019.