(TITC) - On 11 May, on the sideline of PATA Annual Summit in South Korea, Vice Chairwoman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai had a bilaterial meeting with Mr. Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA, on the cooperation strategy of both sides in the future.
At the meeting, VNAT’s Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai updated on the ITE HCMC 2026 expo, scheduled for 27-29 August. She extended a formal invitation to PATA’s senior leadership to attend and deliver keynote speeches at the Tourism Ministers' Conference held within the framework of the CLV (Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam), CLMV (Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam), and ACMECS (Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy) cooperation mechanisms.
The Vice Chairwoman requested PATA’s support in promoting ITE HCMC 2026 across its official platforms and distributing electronic invitations to international partners, particularly high-quality buyers from key markets such as China, India, and the USA. PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid expressed his full agreement and readiness to coordinate these efforts.
The two parties also discussed long-term cooperation projects. VNAT proposed that PATA continues hosting specialized events and programs in Vietnam. Facilitate the participation of international experts and speakers in conferences and familiarization (FAM) trips; Enhance the promotion of Vietnamese tourism through PATA’s media ecosystem, including its website, social media, and global member network.
Furthermore, VNAT sought PATA’s continued sharing of data and research on global and regional travel trends. The Authority also requested support in capacity building for tourism officials through training courses on sustainable destination management, digital transformation, market research, and product development. Both sides agreed to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to participate in major PATA activities, such as the PATA Travel Mart, PATA Gold Awards, and specialized workshops.
At the meeting, CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid expressed PATA’s readiness to introduce experts specializing in sustainable tourism and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support Vietnam’s specific needs. Additionally, PATA suggested Vietnam to consider hosting the PATA Travel Mart or specialized fairs in fields of mutual interest, such as MICE or wellness tourism. Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai welcomed these proposals, stating that Vietnam would conduct a thorough review for further discussion.
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