HCM CITY— As many as 130 delegates from six countries will share experiences about smart tourism at the 8th Tourism Promotion Organisation for Asia Pacific Cities (TPO) Forum from June 21-22 in HCM City.

The biennial forum, with the theme of “Smart Tourism”, is being held for the first time in Việt Nam, according to Nguyễn Thị Ánh Hoa, deputy director of HCM City’s Department of Tourism.

Representatives from 25 member cities will give presentations about their smart tourism promotions and services, Hoa said at a press meeting held in HCM City on Friday (June 15).

Hoa said the event is a great opportunity for the city’s tourism sector to develop new ideas and strategies for smart tourism. 

As the host city of the TPO forum, HCM City will also have a chance to promote the country’s tourism industry as well as strengthen cooperation with other member cities of TPO.

The forum will include city leaders, policymakers and officials in the tourism sector from member cities, according to Shin Yeon-sung, Secretary General of TPO.

Forum delegates will discuss the use of technology in tourism, which is now in an early stage in TPO member cities.

Various programmes will be held in conjunction with the main events of the forum, including a TPO travel-trade and smart-tourism product exhibition that will promote tourism brands and resources of member cities via one-on-one consultations with major travel agencies and tourism-related institutions.

The 31st TPO Executive Committee Meeting and the TPO Bilateral Meeting will also be held during the event.

The members of the Executive Committee will discuss issues related to the operation of the TPO such as budget plans, joint projects, and the admission of new members.

The Bilateral Meeting for TPO Member Cities will provide a chance for one-on-one talks between member cities in a more personal setting and will enhance mutual cooperation and exchange.

The Tourism Promotion Organisation for Asia Pacific Cities, with 85 member cities and 45 industry members from 10 countries and territories, is an international organisation established in 2002 to promote the exchange and development of the tourism industry in major cities in the Asia Pacific region.

The first forum took place in Busan, South Korea in 2004. —VNS