DITF 2026: Connecting tourism businesses to global markets

Connecting businesses, expanding markets

This year’s event attracted more than 300 tourism service providers, 150 international buyers, 400 domestic buyers and over 1,500 delegates and visitors.

It recorded more than 7,000 business-to-business (B2B) connections, underscoring its role as a platform for market access and business cooperation.

Under the theme “Connecting Partners - Creating the Future”, the fair featured tourism product showcases, thematic seminars, familiarization trips and direct business-matching sessions.

The program was designed to connect market demand with the service capacity of tourism businesses, moving beyond destination promotion to encourage practical commercial partnerships.

Lorilyn Matienzo-Tepora, President of the CALABARZON Alliance of Independent Tour Operators, Inc. (CAITO), the Philippines, said the event gave Philippine tourism businesses an opportunity to meet Vietnamese partners, expand their networks and explore new business opportunities.

Through B2B meetings, Philippine businesses learned more about Da Nang’s tourism products while sharing insights into destination preferences among Filipino travellers.

These exchanges could help the two sides develop attractive tour programs for 2027, supporting tourism growth and stronger visitor flows between Vietnam and the Philippines.

Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Deputy General Director of Hai Van Cat International Travel JSC (Hava Travel), said the fair brought together travel companies, tour operators and distribution partners from 11 source markets to connect with businesses in Da Nang.

These buyers were not simply exploring destinations; they could also influence which tourism products would be incorporated into the packages they sell to customers in 2027.

Direct meetings also offer local businesses opportunities to connect with domestic and international travel companies, particularly partners serving Eastern European markets. Such links can help diversify Da Nang’s source markets, improve business performance and encourage two-way tourism exchanges.

As travel markets and consumer preferences evolve rapidly, direct business engagement is increasingly important for identifying trends, diversifying tourism products and building sustainable growth.

Strengthening Da Nang’s tourism competitiveness

Da Nang is entering a new phase of development, with significant potential in its beaches, natural landscapes, heritage and culture.

The city aims to develop high-quality tourism and strengthen its international competitiveness by shifting the focus from visitor numbers to better travel experiences, longer stays, higher visitor spending and more repeat visits.

To achieve these goals, the city is prioritizing distinctive tourism products, international market expansion, stronger air connectivity, digital transformation and regional cooperation.

It also seeks to deepen partnerships with airlines, tour operators, investors and digital tourism platforms. DITF 2026 will help generate practical cooperation opportunities and enhance Da Nang’s standing in the global tourism market.

Amid intensifying competition, natural and cultural resources alone are insufficient to secure a destination’s advantage. Competitiveness also depended on the ability to connect with markets, develop integrated tourism packages and deliver distinctive visitor experiences.

It is therefore a need for tourism businesses to move towards value-chain cooperation, develop high-quality products with a strong local identity.

Stronger links between Da Nang, other central Vietnamese destinations nationwide will also help partners expand markets, share visitor flows and generate greater value.

Connections established at DITF 2026 should progress beyond initial networking to concrete cooperation agreements, commercial contracts and specific commitments to bring visitors to destinations.

According to Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, the city offered a diverse tourism ecosystem spanning beach holidays, resorts, culture, heritage, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), and specialized experiences.

Connecting with domestic and international buyers at the fair helped businesses match their products with target markets and develop linked itineraries connecting Da Nang with Hoi An, Hue and neighboring destinations.

DITF is expected expand business networks, strengthen market partnerships and support tourism development in Da Nang and across Vietnam, Dung said.

By bringing tourism suppliers and buyers together, the annual event aims to turn destination promotion into tangible business opportunities, helping local companies reach new markets and reinforcing Da Nang’s position in the international tourism sector.