Trave firms of Vietnam and the US seek partnership at the event (Photo: VNA)Washington D.C., (VNA) – “A soulful Vietnam” – a Vietnamesetourism promotion event - was held in Washington D.C., the US, the SoutheastAsian country’s fifth largest tourism market, on September 19.
The event is the biggest of its kind Vietnam has held in the US in 15years, drawing 35 domestic travel and hospitality firms such as Saigontourist, TypicTravel, Asia MBC and Gia Linh Travel.
It was attended by Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of the Vietnam NationalAdministration 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 Americantravel firms.
According to VNAT Director Nguyen Van Tuan, following Washington, theevent will head to New York.
The event is part of efforts of Vietnamese tourism sector to diversify itsmarket and lure more foreign visitors who stay longer and spend more inVietnam, he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc said Vietnam has great tourismpotential thanks to the natural beautiful landscapes across the country as wellas its hospitable people.
In recent years, the Vietnam-US relationship has grown strongly in allfields, including tourism, he noted, adding the number of US tourists toVietnam has increased through years, but has yet to match the potential of bothsides.
The Northern American market, including Canada and the US, is one of theleading markets in Vietnam’s tourism strategy thanks to the high spending oftourists. Moreover, Vietnam and the US have long-term historical links, anadvantage for Vietnam in luring US visitors.
During the event, Vietnam's beautiful destinations were highlighted, suchas the UNESCO-recognised World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, PhongNha-Ke Bang cave system and the cuisine and culture of Vietnam.
It was also a chance for Vietnamese firm to seek partnerships and learnfrom their US peers.
Following the event, an ASTA delegation is scheduled to visit Vietnam topromote tourism cooperation.
The number of US tourists to Vietnam has risen more than 10 percent annuallyin the past several years, reaching 614,000 in 2017.
Vietnam expects to welcome more than 1 million US visitors each year by2020.-VNA
VNA
