ITE HCMC held its first show in 2005 with two international pavilions from Thailand and Cambodia, 43 buyers, and 86 booths. Most of the exhibitors were local enterprises. Today, it has grown to become the largest and most established travel event in Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region. In 2019 more than 350 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors are expected, with 250 international buyers, 50 outbound Vietnamese buyers, and a record number of 40 hosted media. To celebrate its 15th year milestone, the International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) is introducing a bundle of new features and special highlights to make the annual event an even more spectacular one for the expected record-high attendance.
Special highlights for the international travel show in September have been planned. The exhibition space has been expanded to two halls, and operating hours will extend from 9am to 7pm on all three days of the event. Public visitors can now enter the show to shop for the best travel packages from 4pm onwards on the first and second day, and the entire day on the third. In previous editions, public visitors visited the show only on the last day. The show is welcoming back exhibitors who have participated in the event for the last 15 years, such as Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Ministry of Tourism. Over 45 Vietnamese cities and provinces will be represented in the show as well as national tourism organisations from China, Gangwon, India, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Seoul, South Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.
This year, to mark the 15th anniversary show, there will be even more impactful networking opportunities, such as customised business matching services, speed “dating” sessions, and pre-scheduled business meetings.
Exhibitors and Buyers can also look forward to numerous informative seminars by industry experts; a spectacular Opening Ceremony; an exquisite Gala Dinner with the theme of Soulful Vietnam; and other exciting networking events.
Another special highlight not to be missed for is the Corporate Travel Forum, organised by Corporate Travel Community, which will be held on 4 September, 2pm – 4pm at the SECC. Bespoke speakers in the regional corporate travel community will cover topics like the Relationship Between Corporate Travel and MICE; An Introduction of Strategic Meetings Management Programme; and The Myths of Corporate Travel Management.
There will be more than 250 international buyers who are outbound travel agents from over 40 countries and territories, especially in the four key areas of North America, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Western Europe, as well as 50 outbound Vietnamese buyers. There will also be 40 hosted media (online, trade, and travel media and bloggers) from 14 countries such as Australia, China, Dubai, France, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. In addition, the complimentary Online Matching System will be opened one month before the event for buyers and exhibitors to find the best matches and schedule B2B meetings in advance.
