The 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2023 (ITE HCMC 2023) will be held in the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7, from September 7 to 9, 2023. ITE HCMC 2023, with the theme “Connectivity, Growth, and Sustainability,” intends to promote Vietnam’s tourism sector, assuring sustainable growth while presenting its attraction internationally.

Over 1.04 million international tourists arrived in Vietnam in July 2023, representing a 6.5% increase over June. This was the first time in 2023 that the country had more than one million tourists in a month. The country received about 6.6 million international tourists in the first seven months of the year, accounting for 83% of the annual target.

Several initiatives, particularly Government Resolution 82, have aided recovery and long-term growth. Furthermore, the National Assembly accepted the Government’s plans to extend the validity of e-visas for foreigners to 90 days, establishing advantageous conditions for international visitors to visit Vietnam and improving Vietnam’s regional tourism competitiveness.

The theme of the 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2023) will be “Connectivity, Growth, and Sustainability.” More than 20,000 participants, including foreign buyers and exhibitors, are expected to attend the event to explore potential for innovation and collaboration.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, and the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center are organizing ITE HCMC 2023 in conjunction with CIS Vietnam JSC and Le Bros Company.

The expo, which is aligned with Government Resolutions 82 and 127 for international e-visas, serves as an important platform for promoting Vietnam’s image and Ho Chi Minh City to both local and foreign travelers. The event attempts to improve supply and demand by connecting travel and tourism firms.

The event comprises more than 400 exhibitors and businesses, including worldwide tourism marketing organizations, and has more than quadrupled in size since 2022. Seventy percent of participants are likely to be domestic businesses, with the other 30% being foreign peers.

As of now, the fair has registered over 400 booths, including more than 370 from domestic units and 30 from international ones.

ITE HCMC is Vietnam’s only international travel expo with an International Buyers Program.The program offers chances for foreign tourism enterprises looking to develop their market and bring tourists to Vietnam and the Mekong area.

Over 150 international buyers from more than 31 countries and territories attended ITE HCMC2023. As a result, the ITE HCMC 2023 is expected to host around 6,000 B2B trade appointments between buyers and exhibitors. Over 50 local media partners and 20 overseas press units and influencers from other countries have also covered the event.

Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated that while changes in Vietnam’s visa laws have made foreign travelers more comfortable, synchronized solutions are required to increase the attraction of tourism in Vietnam.

To boost Vietnam’s tourism industry and competitiveness, the 17th International Travel Expo in Ho Chi Minh City will encourage commercial activities, produce and renew tourism goods, and improve destination management.

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ITB China appoints Maldives as the Official Island Travel Partner of ITB China 2023, emphasizing strategic partnership. The collaboration will make the top tourism destination one of the highlights of the trade expo, which will be hosted in Shanghai from September 12 to 14, 2023.

The Maldives booth will be the focal point of the island republic’s expanded participation at ITB China 2023. There will be 33 companies co-exhibiting with the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), providing the ideal opportunity for domestic tourism professionals to connect with the Maldivian travel trade, establish new business relationships, and explore the endless opportunities awaiting the Chinese tourism industry in the Maldives.

MMPRC will organize a variety of onsite activities, including a raffle, and will be the sponsor of the ITB China customized and themed networking lunch on September 13th, 2023, to bring together industry experts, travel trade, media, and all other stakeholders under one roof, as well as the Presentation Hub Showcase to provide more information on the destination.

“The Chinese market is traditionally one of the most significant markets to the Maldives tourism industry.

The first direct flight from China arrived in January 2023 following a 3-year hiatus. Since then, we have observed a remarkable growth in the arrivals from the Chinese market. ITB China, the leading travel trade fair in China, will bring together industry professionals under one roof for exclusive marketing and networking opportunities. We cannot think of a better opportunity for the Maldives right now to reconnect with the Chinese travel trade and elevate the Maldivian brand to new heights,” says Mr. Thoyyib Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director at MMPRC.

The collaboration is one of the centerpieces of MMPRC’s strategy to enhance awareness of the Maldives as a top tourism destination for China’s outbound travel industry. Until the breakout of the pandemic in 2020, the Chinese market regularly topped the arrival charts in the Maldives.

Up to 2019, China led the list of Maldives source markets with a 16.7% market share of incoming passengers. Whereas these statistics were naturally affected during the pandemic years, the Maldives is now aiming for China to quickly reach pre-pandemic arrival figures.

Clearly committed to this goal, the MMPRC has implemented a wide range of activities, including e-learning campaigns, digital campaigns in collaboration with top Chinese apps, outdoor marketing campaigns, joint promotional campaigns, familiarization trips, social media campaigns, and a slew of other physical promotion activities to be held onsite in China for the first time since 2019.

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The return of prominent foreign musicians and live concerts to Bangkok benefits the Thai economy in a variety of ways. International travel for music, sports, and other important events is becoming more popular. Thailand is ideally positioned to capitalize on the worldwide music tourism business, which is expected to reach $11.3 billion by 2032, according to Travel Daily News report.

The increased demand for live music performances in Asia Pacific, with its rapidly rising young population, is expected to drive the worldwide music event industry. That’s one way a constant supply of international performances, with their tremendous crowd-pulling skills, might play a key part in Thai tourism growth.

According to internet research firm QuestionPro, Taylor Swift’s Eras tour is an excellent illustration of how concerts drive spending in host towns, with its US leg estimated to generate up to $5 billion in economic activity. This analysis extends beyond event ticket sales to cover not just product and food and beverage prices, but also the costs of flights, lodging, and retail sales in host towns.

Thailand is well on its way to benefit from the ‘experience economy,’ with the resumption of live concerts nearing pre-pandemic levels, which began early this year with Blackpink’s two-day Bangkok visit in January and Harry Styles and Arctic Monkeys’ shows in March. According to Traveloka statistics, there has been a considerable surge, particularly for inward flights, with the number of flight transactions nearly tripling for the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year. This increase in flights is also mirrored in the trend of hotel bookings in Bangkok, which has increased by over 30%.

Traveloka Thailand saw a substantial amount of reservations in the first half of 2023, with the bulk coming from both inbound and domestic passengers travelling to Bangkok. China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, England, Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia were the leading contributors to inbound tourist bookings.

Domestic travelers were equally enthusiastic, as Traveloka saw an increase in reservations from Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Chian Rai, Phuket, Chonburi, Songkla, and Suratthani to Bangkok.

Thailand’s tourism business was thriving in the first half of 2023, and this trend is expected to continue into 2024. This will increase demand for hotels and airlines, and with music tours making a comeback, it will also help move the tourism sector forward. Music tourism is not restricted to live performances; nearby attractions such as restaurants and historical buildings, to mention a few, can profit from increased attendance as well.

Thailand should expect excellent tourism earnings from the upcoming Charlie Puth and Sam Smith performances in October, as well as the fast-selling-out Coldplay concerts in February 2024. This will help travel and tourism enterprises who have the correct strategy and approach.

According to Iko Putera, CEO of Transport, Traveloka, this is an opportunity for those in the travel & tourism industry to work on delivering experiences that are complementary to the most popular concerts and music festivals, such as city’s attractions and activities, cruises, entertainment.

“What we are seeing from Traveloka data, is that international concerts in Bangkok are could be one of the key drivers for leisure travel spending across a wide demographic. Celebrating culture through music performances and entertainment should also be an integral part of Thai tourism strategies. The lineup of world-class performers for multiple shows in Bangkok serves as a remarkable achievement for its tourism industry. As a leading travel platform in Southeast Asia, Traveloka is eagerly embraces the opportunity to forge a stronger collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to make Thai tourism even better and more popular in the region.”

“This success not only promises prosperity for local businesses but also presents significant opportunities for other local services such as culinary experiences, travel insurances, etc. We are hopeful this phenomenon will have a positive contribution in boosting Thai small and medium-sized tourism businesses, which benefits Thailand’s overall economy and tourism industry”, Iko added.

This success not only promises prosperity for local businesses but also presents significant opportunities for other local services such as culinary experiences, travel insurances, etc. We are hopeful this phenomenon will have a positive contribution in boosting Thai small and medium-sized tourism businesses, which benefits Thailand’s overall economy and tourism industry”, Iko added.

With changing travel requirements and dynamic travel expectations, communication among industry actors and government organizations is critical to ensuring that all stakeholders are working toward the same goals.

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Tourism Holdings (thl), a Campervan company has declared a full-year profit, mirroring the tourism resurgence observed in last week’s results from Auckland Airport and Air New Zealand following the relaxation of travel restrictions.

According to CEO Grant Webster, the findings came after the firm combined with Apollo in November of last year.

“We have been incredibly active as an organisation, not only with the momentum in integrating thl and Apollo, but across all aspects of our business, opening new locations, launching new fleet, and driving forward with our sustainability initiatives, all while managing the return of international tourism and delivering a record result,” he said.

“The tourism industry is in a positive position, ready to be a key driver of the economies in New Zealand and Australia in particular over the coming 12 months.”

These are the key numbers for the 12 months ended June compared to a year ago:

• Net profit $49.9m vs net loss $2.1m
• Revenue $663.8m vs $345.8m
• Final dividend 15 cents a share vs no dividend

Around 1800 employees were being rewarded with a bonus of $1000 worth of thl shares net of tax, or a cash equivalent for qualified employees outside of Australasia.

“I am hugely proud of the efforts of our crew over what was the most challenging period in our company’s history,” he said.

“The results that we are now achieving are a real testament to all our thl crew globally (old and new), who come to work every day with an immense passion for creating unforgettable journeys.”

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A Buller tourist attraction that was hampered by rules enacted in the aftermath of the Pike River Mine catastrophe has been permanently shuttered. Denniston’s subterranean Banbury Mine, branded as the ‘Denniston Experience,’ has been closed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

The old mine ceased operations as a tourist attraction in 2017, when it became an unintended victim of new rules enacted in the aftermath of the 2010 Pike River tragedy.

The rules made no distinction between an operating coal mine and a tourist mine. WorkSafe determined that a mine manager who was suitably qualified and experienced required to be on-site at all times.

“Since the last Denniston Experience concession was surrendered in 2017, the Banbury Mine, and an area of conservation land around it, has been in care and maintenance,” DOC western South Island operations director Mark Davies said today.

“This requires regular site visits and inspections.

“As the site is no longer feasible as a tourism operation, DOC has decided it would be better to rehabilitate it and offer other opportunities for visitors to explore Denniston and learn about its history.”

The decision has been communicated to the West Coast Conservation Board, according to Davies. The DOC was currently looking at rehabilitation options in order to provide the best possible experience for guests.

“We’re taking the opportunity to work on an overall heritage and visitor plan for Denniston as it’s such an important historic place with so much to offer. We need to strike a balance between heritage values, visitor experience and safety and cost in this planning.”

Davies stated that DOC saw an opportunity to develop a new short walk with spectacular vistas to connect the Brakehead to the mines at Coalbrookdale and Burnetts Face.

The Denniston Experience was designed as part of the DOC’s Denniston Enhancement project in 2007. The new tourist activity was created in collaboration with the Denniston Heritage Trust, Buller District Council, Development West Coast (DWC), Solid Energy, and Friends of The Hill.

The DOC, DWC, Buller District Council, and corporate donors contributed around $3.5 million to the tourism attraction. The Denniston Experience transported visitors back to the 1880s by reenacting the life and work of a mountain miner.

The experience was operated by DOC for five months when it debuted in March 2011, and subsequently by two different concessionaires until 2017.

It was open for roughly six years and attracted about 3000 visitors per year until shutting in February 2017.

“Over this time there were challenges such as lightning strikes, financial viability and maintenance and upkeep of assets,” Davies said.

In 2016, new regulations mandated that the operator hold a First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate, the same as an active underground coal mine. Because the concessionaire was unable to satisfy the criterion, he forfeited the concession.

In 2018, the Westport News reported that Charleston-based Geotech was seeking a DOC concession to revive the mine. At the time, DOC stated that it had replaced the mine’s electrical wiring and was spending around $12,000 to prepare the tourist attraction for reopening.

Davies stated today that the legislative, budgetary, and practical obstacles were insurmountable.

Denniston, which previously had a population of 1500 people, is now a ghost town.

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The 9th World Kungfu Championships got underway in Emeishan City, Sichuan Province, China, on August 25. In Emei, 6,649 athletes and coaches from 53 different nations and regions came together to compete, share knowledge, and forge friendships via martial arts.

The World Kungfu Championships, dubbed the “Olympic Games of Wushu,” are now the biggest, highest-level, and most important significant sporting event in the world of wushu. They are held every two years.
The Chinese Wushu Association and the International Wushu Federation jointly organize the Championships.

Emeishan City has successfully hosted the 7th and 8th World Kungfu Championships in 2017 and 2019, making this the third time they have put on such a competition.

This year’s competition features both domestic and international competitions, as well as individual, duilian (choreographed sparring), and jiti Events (group routine) that represent many traditional wushu schools. Men and women compete in different activities separately, and competitors are categorized into five age groups: juniors, seniors, children, teens, and middle-aged people.

Emeishan City will provide “Enjoy Emei” coupons for consumption during the competition, and it will host a number of exciting events like the Golden Summit Swords and Wushu Exhibition and Performance Show, Wushu Kungfu Performance Show, Wushu Masters Forum, AI Wushu Interactive Experience, Wushu Cultural Tourism Commodity Exhibition, and Cultural Tourism and Sports Site Exploration and Observation.

The name-brand Mount Emei is located in Emeishan City, which is also known as an excellent tourist destination in China and the birthplace of advanced wushu in China.

Emei wushu, one of the three main wushu schools in China together with Shaolin and Wudang, is well-known for its 3000 year history and distinctive style of “coupling strength with gentleness, accomplished both internally and externally”.

Emei wushu, which was included on the list of the nation’s intangible cultural heritage in 2008, has emerged as a shining cultural icon for Emeishan City.

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To provide Indian travel trade with a keen insight into Thailand’s immense luxury offerings, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Mumbai hosted the Amazing Thailand Luxury Roadshow 2023 on 24th August 2023 at The St. Regis Mumbai.

The Roadshow commenced in the presence of Mr. Isada Saovaros, the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand – Mumbai; Ms. Nattasuda Mettaprasert, the Deputy Consul-General of Royal Thai Consulate-General, Mumbai; alongside Mrs. Ruedee Cheawsamoot, the Director of ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Market Division; and Mr Auttapon Thawesuntorn, the Assistant Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand – Mumbai.

It converged over 40 Indian luxury travel agents and proved highly instrumental in opening doors for effective knowledge exchange and potential collaboration with 12 Thai partners including hotel representatives and destination management companies.

Thailand’s foremost luxury hotel chains were part of this roadshow, including AKARYN Hotel Group’s Aleenta Phuket – Phang Nga Resort & Spa and Akyra Manor Chiang Mai, Garden of Eden Thailand and Eden Bliss, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Phi Phi Holiday Resort, The Executive Lounge Thailand, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Phulay Bay – A Ritz Carlton Reserve, Chatrium Hotel, Siam Niramit Phuket, and Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. Enchantive Asia and JIE Tours were the participating DMCs from Thailand.

Mr. Isada Saovaros, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) – Mumbai, shared: “Thailand has carved out a distinctive niche for itself in the realm of luxury, wellness, and premium experiences. From wellness retreats to luxury establishments, every facet of its offerings has been tailored to make the journeys of its guests grand and memorable. With this Amazing Thailand Luxury Roadshow, we aim to curate Thailand’s exceptional offerings in the luxury space by creating meaningful experiences for Indian tourists through unparalleled service and hospitality.”

India is one of the key source markets for Thailand, and so to encourage more tourist arrivals, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has been seamlessly promoting new destinations and hidden charms scattered across the kingdom. By following its long-term strategy and with the support of its Indian travel trade partners, TAT India anticipates a great influx of tourists in the upcoming quarters.

Thailand has also taken significant steps to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, including the implementation of the Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model (BCG Model). Leveraging the BCG Model to drive tourism, would allow Thailand to safeguard the ecosystem, encourage effective use of natural resources, and add value to local companies and the economy in the long run. Moreover, Thailand hosts several sustainable initiatives for causes such as ocean conservation, coral reef rehabilitation, and the removal of sea and plastic debris, involving locals and tourists alike.

The Amazing Thailand Luxury Roadshow 2023 proved to be a melting pot of lucrative business dialogues and informed discussions about Thailand’s burgeoning luxury market and India’s potential as a potent source market.

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The president of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has recently promised to change Trincomalee distric into a hot and happening hub and also highlighted the need of India on this project.

India is Sri Lanka’s primary source market to boost up its already injured foreign exchange earnings and is looking for economic revival as the island hopes to attract fewer tourists from Europe.

While talking about development, the President said about the acceleration of the Eastern Development project and also highlighted the fact that conducive environment will be created to invigorate the cash-crunch economy of this island nation once again.

On Thursday, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while addressing the participants said that the sector in the next decade would come up as Sri Lanka’s chief foreign exchange earner. Pitching a cooperative local initiation to encourage tourism, he questioned that why don’t they make their whole BIMSTEC area one borderless area for tourism and also emphasized the scope in the region to display the diverse sites and cuisines of the nation.

He also mentioned India’s assistance on this project to get involved in terms of strategic significance, a press release from the office of the President said the same. The collaborative role of India was also highlighted.

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On Sunday, Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan, inaugurated the famous Onam cultural festival of Kerala Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The state-level inauguration was done by the Chief minister of the cultural festival. At the Nishagandhi Auditorium, this festival was organized by the tourism department on Sunday in the state capital.

Shri V Sivankutty, the state Minister for General Education and Labour, in his welcome speech praised the careful initiations of the Tourism Department in arranging the annual festival in a grand manner.

P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Tourism Minister, Kerala, presided over the festival explained that Onam is a distinguishing festival that pays tribute and encourages the values of inclusivity and closeness. The central theme of this festival in 2023 is Onam, the symphony of harmony.

For hundreds of artists, this festival provides a huge chance, who comes from diverse genres to participate in front of many audiences, who are tourists as well, he added.

This week-long celebration of Onam will set the stage for representing in front a wide audience a diverse form of folk, classical, ethnic and other famous art forms in multiple venues in the capital of Kerala and districts as well for the coming seven days.

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Kerala Tourism has recently grabbed the 2023 Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award. This award was granted in the Marketing Campaign category for its ground-breaking efforts to draw more visitors. 

Conceptualized for an audience transitioning to normal condition after Covid situation, the award-winning campaign of the state with the tile -Make up for lost time, pack up for Kerala, was aimed for mainly domestic tourists, and was broadcasted on all the prime platforms of social media.

The PATA Grand and Gold Awards, set up in 1984, generally recognizes the finest contributions related to the travel sector in the Asia-Pacific region with the endearing projects making benchmarks in terms of creativity and excellence. At the International Exhibition Convention Centre located in New Delhi, this award will be presented on October 5 th at the time of the PATA Travel Mart 2023.

P A Mohamed Riyas, the Tourism Minister, stated that the award is an acknowledgement in terms of the aggressive promotional campaign of Kerala Tourism to attract tourists back again who had been staying inside their homes for quite a long time now after the pandemic outbreak. This campaign targeted
young minds, luring them to come to Kerala to enjoy its natural setting.

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