Travel agencies from Vietnam and Indonesia participating in the tourism promotion event organized by Indonesia will have the opportunity to showcase the distinctive landscapes, food and tourism-related products of their destinations.

Travel businesses between Vietnam and Indonesia attend the business matching session within the Indonesia-hosted event. Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn

Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, believes that the "Wonderful Indonesia - Sales Mission" event on April 12 will lead to more Vietnamese and Indonesian tourists traveling to each other's countries.

He went on to say that Vietnam welcomed 2.7 million foreign visitors in the first quarter of 2023, including 21,000 Indonesians. Sieu noted that "the event has further strengthened the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia".

Denny Abdi, Ambassador of Indonesia to Vietnam, emphasized the value of relationships and cooperation between tourism businesses during the pandemic. He also affirmed that the tourism sector is both countries' growth engine.

According to the Indonesian Ambassador, the tourism industry has quickly adapted its policies and strategies to changes in traveler behavior due to the pandemic.

With the current trend, the ambassador said, tourism development must place more emphasis on environmental protection, respect for local culture, community, and customs, and balance between mass and quality travel.

Currently, the country's strategy to embrace the new trend includes five top priority sites: Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba and Likupang.

He said that Indonesia hopes to welcome 7.6 million foreign tourists this year. Vietnam is Indonesia's fourth largest inbound market in ASEAN after Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

To achieve this goal, the ambassador said it is necessary to improve connectivity and strengthen international cooperation. Indonesia offers visa-free travel for citizens of all ASEAN countries. The country will also host many international events to boost tourism demand in the coming period.

The Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam stressed that this event marks Indonesia's commitment to making the tourism industry the engine of Indonesia's economic recovery and sustainable development.