Hanoi will be the venue for the UNWTO conference titled “Tourism: A Key Driver for Socio-Economic Development in Asia and the Pacific” which will take place at the same time.

According to Director of Department of International Cooperation under Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Pham Quang Hung, the meeting is expected to attract 300 delegates, including 100 representatives from tourism agencies of 26 member countries of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the Commission for South Asia as well as international and non-governmental organisations.

Participants will discuss and propose policies and measures to develop tourism in the region and facilitate transportation, Hung said at a press briefing on April 19.

They will also discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two commissions on the implementation of tourism promotion activities, the positive impact of tourism on community in terms of hunger alleviation and poverty reduction efforts, as well as exchange experiences on sustainable tourism development, Hung added.

The hosting of the meeting will help Vietnam's tourism sector affirm its position and role in regional and international integration as well as boost cooperation with UNWTO and the 26 member countries of the two commissions in the implementation of joint projects in the future.

“The meeting will provide a good chance for Vietnam to popularise its culture and tourism prospects to such promising markets as Japan, the Republic of Korea and China,” Hung said.

Vietnam will attend international fairs and market promotion campaigns in Spain, Germany, Russia, Australia and China, and promote the country’s image on international TV channels via tourism programmes to elevate its tourism potential abroad, Deputy Director of the Department of Market Development under VNAT Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong said.

Advertising for tourism to Vietnam will also be positioned in underground stations in Tokyo and Vietnam’s consulate in Osaka, Japan, she added.