ITE focuses on four Mekong nations

The 7th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Ming City (ITE HCMC 2011) opened yesterday at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre.

This year, the travel fair attracted 30% more international buyers, while sellers increased by roughly 20%. There was no participation from Thailand’s travel industry apart from the media.

This year’s event featured about 160 international delegates – buyers and hosted media from 30 countries – a mix of countries such as US, China, India, Thailand, Turkey, Lithuania, Australia, Singapore, Russia, Brunei and Indonesia. Last year, there were 120 hosted buyers.

Seller attendance improved 25% from some 170 to over 200. Most sellers were from Vietnam, followed by Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Although the event aimed to promote the 4 CODE, (Four Countries, one Destination) there were tourism organisations and business firms from other countries besides Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. They represented Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Singapore, Hong Kong, Egypt, Australia, Turkey, Canada, China, India and UAE.

Tourism Authority of Thailand declined to participate, possibly because Vietnam and Cambodia turned down an invitation to attend the Thailand Travel Mart Plus, last June.

Under the 4 CODE slogan, Vietnam positions itself as a gateway. Vietnam Airlines is planning to increase its presence in the sub-region and expand long-haul destinations in order to transport visitors directly from source countries, by-passing Bangkok, the traditional gateway of the Greater Mekong-sub region.

Tour companies have already been selling programmes linking these destinations. Overland tours are promoted between the three countries that share common  land borders – Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Air routes have been introduced, last March, to Myanmar from Vietnam linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Yangon.

Visas remain a drawback for the four countries one destination theme. Vietnam offers visas-on-arrival, but only for key markets. Myanmar requires advanced visa application for all countries except passengers travelling on Myanmar International flights from Siem Reap and Guangzhou who are entitled to a visa- on-arrival.

Visas are valid for just a single visit which means visitors using Vietnam as a gateway may have to reapply if they wish to spend more time in Vietnam on the return trip from one of the other three partner countries.

ITE 2012 will be held between 12 and 15 September next year, also at SECC

The trade event of ITE 2011 runs from 14 to 15 September and is open to the public 16 and 17 September.

Source - ttrweekly