HCM City seeks solutions to develop MICE tourism
Experts from travel and hotel industry gathered to discuss the development of MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Event) tourism in Ho Chi Minh City on September 6.
 |
According to statistics from McKinsey consulting group, 17% of visitors to HCM City came here for working purposes, higher than the region’s average figure of 14-15%.
In the first six months of 2017, the southern economic hub welcomed 2.7 million foreign visitors, up 14% compared to the same period last year.
Ben Wieglus from Informa Singapore, an exhibition and event organisation company, said MICE industry brings added value to socio-economic and cultural development, but can leave negative impacts on natural resources, which require further research into how to mitigate the impacts.
He suggested HCM City focus on highlighting its unique features on food, culture, and festivals, and advised local enterprises to enhance international partnerships.
At the conference, participants said HCM City should improve traffic conditions to facilitate tourists’ travel around the city, particularly using buses or river buses.
Nguyen Quy Phuong, head of the Travel Department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the Vietnamese Government has been supporting tourism growth via intensive promotion.
HCM City has made MICE tourism one of the main tourist products and aims to become a new MICE hub in Southeast Asia, Phuong noted.
