Tourists in Tokyo, Japan (Photo: VNA) HCM City(VNA) – As many as 200 representatives of nearly 80 travel firms of Vietnam andJapan gathered for a meeting held by the Japan National Tourism Organisation(JNTO) in Ho Chi Minh on January 25.
The meeting is achance for the firms to set up partnership and explore tourism promotionactivities in each other’s country, thus fostering friendship between Vietnamand Japan.
Addressing the event,JNTO Vice President Kobori Mamoru said that last year, Japan for the first timewelcomed more than 300,000 Vietnamese visitors, a record number from only55,000 in 2012.
He stressed that thisyear marks the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations, hopingthat this will be a favourable stage for both sides to work together tostrengthen ties in politics, economy, culture, society and tourism.
Meanwhile, Nguyen ThiAnh Hoa, Vice Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said thatJapan is one of the top international markets of Vietnam.
In 2017, the cityserved nearly 400,000 Japanese visitors, up 5.8 percent over 2016, she noted,holding that this is the result of fruitful tourism cooperation between the twocountries as well as joint efforts of businesses of Vietnam and Japan.
Hoa said that in 2018,the city’s tourism sector will foster connection with Japanese localities andtravel firms to bring more Vietnamese tourists to Japan and vice versa. - VNA
VNA
