Chinese Travellers Boost Vietnam Tourism

Posted: Fri 5 Aug, 2011 5:20 PM

Vietnam continues to appeal to Chinese tourists, making up 53.5% of arrivals for the first seven months of the year.

 

According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam welcomed up to 3.43 million international tourists from January to July, indicating a 17.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The great draw for tourists is sightseeing which made up 70% of tourists, and visiting relatives which rose by 53.5% compared to last year, as reported in eTravel Blackboard Asia.

 

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism aims to boost inbound arrivals. In line with this initiative, tourism agency proposed a development strategy earlier this year. The plan calls for investment in tourism and developing competitive products in the region.

ETOA, UKinbound and VisitBritain Join Forces for B2B Event

Posted: Fri 5 Aug, 2011 3:04 PM

The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), UKinbound and VisitBritain came together for VisitBritain Hosted Buyers Marketplace (HBM). HBM is a unique business-to-business event that provides an exclusive opportunity for British tourism suppliers and destinations to meet and build business relationships with 150 selected international buyers. International buyers from 20 countries will be brought over and hosted by VisitBritain for the said event.

 

The VisitBritain Hosted Buyers Marketplace will be held at the Wembley Stadium on March 19, 2012, a day before the ETOA and UKinbound’s Britain & Ireland Marketplace (BIM) to be held at the same venue. VisitBritain Chief Executive, Sandie Dawe, was quoted in eTurbo Newsas having said that VisitBritain welcomes the opportunity to work alongside ETOA and UKinbound to deliver what will be a fantastic opportunity for British tourism to showcase a wide range of products to a network of international buyers. Dawe added that the Hosted Buyers Marketplace is well positioned to build on the opportunity to showcase Britain during 2012 as a result of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and hosting the 2012 Games, and to ensure British product features heavily in international programmes.

 

The participating markets include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, and the USA.

Hawaii Launches New Mobile App

Posted: Fri 5 Aug, 2011 2:15 PM

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) launched their first smartphone application featuring the Festivals of Hawaii. The new app will make information on over 100 events happening throughout the island readily available to locals and visitors anytime, anywhere.

 

HTA President and CEO, Mike McCartney, was quoted in eTurbo News as having said that Festivals of Hawaii brings together Hawaii residents and visitors to celebrate cultures and traditions in their islands. McCartney added that this new mobile app is an effective marketing tool that not only delivers helpful information but also shares their unique island experiences and provides a taste of Hawaii’s rich cultural diversity to the world.

 

The new mobile is available for download on iTunes for iPhone as well as iPod and iPad devices.