Trave firms of Vietnam and the US seek partnership at the event (Photo: VNA) Washington D.C., (VNA) – “A soulful Vietnam” – a Vietnamese tourism promotion event - was held in Washington D.C., the US, the Southeast Asian country’s fifth largest tourism market, on September 19.
The event is the biggest of its kind Vietnam has held in the US in 15 years, drawing 35 domestic travel and hospitality firms such as Saigontourist, Typic Travel, Asia MBC and Gia Linh Travel.
It was attended by Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism; Ann Chamberlin, Senior Vice President for Membership, Strategic Partnerships and Marketing of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA); Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc; and several American travel firms.
According to VNAT Director Nguyen Van Tuan, following Washington, the event will head to New York.
The event is part of efforts of Vietnamese tourism sector to diversify its market and lure more foreign visitors who stay longer and spend more in Vietnam, he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc said Vietnam has great tourism potential thanks to the natural beautiful landscapes across the country as well as its hospitable people.
In recent years, the Vietnam-US relationship has grown strongly in all fields, including tourism, he noted, adding the number of US tourists to Vietnam has increased through years, but has yet to match the potential of both sides.
The Northern American market, including Canada and the US, is one of the leading markets in Vietnam’s tourism strategy thanks to the high spending of tourists. Moreover, Vietnam and the US have long-term historical links, an advantage for Vietnam in luring US visitors.
During the event, Vietnam's beautiful destinations were highlighted, such as the UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang cave system and the cuisine and culture of Vietnam.
It was also a chance for Vietnamese firm to seek partnerships and learn from their US peers.
Following the event, an ASTA delegation is scheduled to visit Vietnam to promote tourism cooperation.
The number of US tourists to Vietnam has risen more than 10 percent annually in the past several years, reaching 614,000 in 2017.
Vietnam expects to welcome more than 1 million US visitors each year by 2020.-VNA
VNA
