HCM CITY — HCM City tourism authorities will focus on marketing and promotion campaigns to attract more foreign tourists this year, according to the city’s Department of Tourism.

The city targets receiving 8.5 million international visitors and 32.77 million domestic visitors this year, up 14 per cent and 13 per cent year on year, respectively.

Tourism revenue this year is expected to rise by 14.5 per cent year-on-year to reach 150 trillion (US$6.46 billion).

This year, the department will work with airlines and international tourism agencies to organise farm trips at source markets such as Western Europe and Northeast Asia.

Various cultural, art, cuisine and tourism events will be organised throughout the year to attract visitors, with the Áo Dài Festival and the International Travel Expo HCM City in the spotlight.

ITE HCMC 2019 will take place September 5-7 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC).

ITE HCMC 2019 under the theme “Travel Gateway to Asia” is the country’s largest and most established international trade tourism expo, and is a key bridge in the tourism industry for both inbound and outbound markets in Việt Nam and the region, according to the department.

As part of tourism promotion efforts, the department organised the “Roadshow Ho Chi Minh City Tourism” at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 and TRAVEX Exhibition in Quảng Ninh Province.

The roadshow promoted HCM City as a safe, attractive and friendly destination. It saw the participation of more than 150 international media, international travel professionals and representatives of national tourism organisations of ASEAN.

To celebrate HCM City’s 320th anniversary, the department has launched eight new city tours to provide interesting experiences to explore the formation and development of Sài Gòn - Gia Định - HCM City and enhance the image of an ancient and modern city.

The number of international arrivals to HCM City reached 7.5 million last year, an increase of 17 per cent compared to the previous year. —VNS