eTN Asia, 11-24-2006
Vietnam's recent admittance into the World Trade Organization (WTO) fold will get a further boost with the forthcoming visit by US travel agents.
Under the agreement with Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department, United Airlines (UA) will invite 'high-quality' travel agents interested in promoting the Vietnam tourism market for an industry survey of its market potential for 2007.
UA is currently the only carrier offering seven direct flights to Vietnam.
The industry survey follows a similar sponsorship of eight journalists from the US to reintroduce Vietnam to Americans, remembered for the last 30 years for its involvement in the Vietnam war.
"Since then promotional activities of Vietnamese tourism in the US has been very limited," said Joe Mannix, UA director in Vietnam.
To attract US travelers, Vietnam is basing its marketing strategies on its world-famous beaches, yet to be discovered by the US market, under its tagline 'Vietnam-The Hidden Charm'.
"This is an efficient way to promote Vietnamese tourism abroad," said Pham Huu Minh, from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
