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The 11th International Travel Expo HCM City opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre on Wednesday. — Photos vietnamnet
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HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The 11th International Travel Expo HCM City (ITE HCMC 2015), with the theme "One Decade – One Region – One World" this year, opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre on Wednesday.
It has attracted more than 220 buyers from key international markets and 100 buyers from closer home consisting of travel agencies from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.
At the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh said in 10 years the ITE has grown to become one of the leading travel events in the country and the region.
Nguyen Thi Hong, vice chairwoman of the city People's Committee, said the event offers an opportunity for both local and foreign tourism operators to expand connectivity and establish long-term co-operation.
On the occasion, the winners of the 7th Mekong Tourism Alliance Awards were also announced. The awards aim to honour businesses for their contributions to the tourism sectors of the five Mekong sub-region countries.
The awards include for Best Airline of the Year, Best Outbound Travel Operator of the Year, Best Inbound Travel Operator of the Year, Best Five Star Hotel of the Year, Best Resort of the Year, and Most Attractive Tangible Heritage of the Year.
The expo, which wraps up on Friday, is expected to draw 25,000 visitors.
Winners of the Mekong Tourism Alliance Awards 2015 include:
Best Five Star Hotel of the Year: Cambodia – Naga World; Thailand – Pullman Bangkok Hotel G; Viet Nam - InterContinental Ha Noi Westlake; Myanmar – Kempinski Hotel Nay Pyi Taw.
Best Inbound Travel Operator of the Year: Cambodia - Great Angkor Tours; Thailand - Donna Tour Co., Ltd; Viet Nam - Saigontourist; Myanmar - Adventure Myanmar Tours & Incentives.
Best Outbound Travel Operator of the Year: Cambodia - Sophiya Travel & Tours; Viet Nam - Vietravel; Myanmar - Shan Yoma Travel & Tour Co.Ltd.
Best Airlines of the Year: Cambodia - Cambodia Angkor Air; Thailand - Thai Airway International PLC; Viet Nam - Vietnam Airlines; Myanmar - Myanmar Airways International.
Best Resort of the Year: Cambodia - Thansur Boker Highland Resort (Sokha Hotel & Resorts); Thailand - Centara Hotels & Resorts; Viet Nam - Vinpearl Luxury Nha Trang; Myanmar - Aye Yar River View Resort.
Most Attractive Tangible Heritage of the Year: Cambodia – Angkor Wat; Thailand – Ayutthaya Historical Park; Viet Nam – Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park; Myanmar – Bagan.— VNS