A three-day annual International Travel Expo aimed at boosting 3CODE(Three Countries One Destination) tourism programme covering Vietnam ,Laos and Cambodia opened in HCM City on Sept. 30.

Held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7, theevent attracted 155 "buyers" from 35 countries and 173 sellers(enterprises and departments offering products and services).

Besides buyers from traditional markets, organisers aimed to explorenew markets in North Europe, Spain , Italy and the US .

"This year's expo welcomes Myanmar , preparing to form the new4CODE," said La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the HCM City Departmentof Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"We hope to see allthe six countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion in the coming expo, tojoin hands and make the region more interesting in the eyes ofinternational tourists," Khanh said.

Vietnam 'snational flag carrier as well as the official carrier of the event,Vietnam Airlines, offered up to 85 percent discounts on selectedinternational routes.

The carrier also introduced its "Welcome Christmas in Europe " tour packages at attractive prices.

Thailand organised a conference introducing its Amazing Thailandcampaign. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) targets 14 millionarrivals by the end of this year, and 15.5 million international touristarrivals next year.

TAT and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will hold a working section on Sept. 10./.