The conference attracted the participation of General Director of VNAT Nguyen Van Tuan; Ambassador, Head of EU delegation in Viet Nam Franz Jessen; Vice Chairman of VITA Nguyen Quang Lan; representatives of ministries, industries, Ha Noi People's Committee; representatives of provincial departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism, tourism associations, tourism promotion centres, tourism enterprises of the provinces, cities nationwide; representatives of international tourism organizations in Viet Nam, airlines and media agencies.

The conference was held to review the effects of tourism promotion activities from 2000 to now; propose solutions until 2020 and vision to 2030 to improve professionalism and effectiveness of tourism promotion activities.

Speaking to opening the conference, General Director of VNAT Nguyen Van Tuan emphasized that organization of the conference on tourism promotion will aim to improve the effectiveness and orientation for Viet Nam tourism promotion activities in the context of the world's economy is difficult and impacts to the tourism industry.

The participants focus to discuss the orientation and solutions on tourism promotion to 2020; Viet Nam Tourism Marketing Strategy to 2020 and Action Plan 2013 - 2015 (EU Project). Representatives of tourism enterprises, tourism promotion centres shared experience on strengthening tourism promotion activities such as improving professionalism of tourism promotion activities, developing Viet Nam tourism brand, mobilizing resources for tourism promotion....

Also at the conference, Mr. Le Tuan Anh - Director of Tourism Marketing Department (VNAT) officially launched Viet Nam tourism promotion website (www.vietnamtourism.vn) in three languages: Vietnamese, English, Japanese. Besides, he also introduced the theme "Application of E-marketing" - a breakthrough task of VNAT in 2013.

The conference is opportunity for everyone who take charge of tourism promotion to meet to coordinate, enhance cooperation, connect activities of state administration agencies, social organizations, enterprises, etc; exchange and learn professional experience on tourism promotion of organizations, enterprises and specialists at home and abroad.

It is expected that initiatives and solutions proposed at the conference would contribute to promoting the strength of Viet Nam tourism, taking advantage of opportunities, enhancing professionalism, quality and effectiveness of tourism promotion activities thereby contributing to achieve successfully the goals determined in the Viet Nam Tourism Development Strategy until 2020, vision to 2030.

Thu Giang