An award recognising excellence within the tourism industry in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will be presented during the fifth annual International Travel Exposition (ITE) in HCM City in October.

“This new award builds on the cooperation between our three countries, acknowledging our tourism potential,” said Nguyen Phu Duc, chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association.

“It also complements the Three Countries-One Destination concept launched this year as the theme of ITE 2009,” he added.

The Tourism Alliance Award competition will be organised by the Institute for International Research (IIR) Exhibitions, Vietnam Tourism Association, Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, Cambodia Hotel Association and Laos Association of Travel Agents.

“We believe the ward will instil a greater sense of pride and achievement among professionals representing our country,” said Soukaseum Bodhisane, vice chairman of the Lao National Tourism Administration.

Managing Diretor of IIR Exhibitions Pte Ltd Rosalind Ng said the award would encourage further improvement in tourism training standards and help enhance service quality.

“The wards provide a benchmark for best practices in the industry,” said Luu Meng, president of the Cambodia Hotel Association.

Participants are required to submit a form that requires self-assessment through a detailed questionnaire.

The questionnaire will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals as well as representatives from the respective associations.

Winners from each of the 10 award categories will be announced at a gala dinner on October 1.

ITE 2009 will be held on October 1-3 at Phu Tho Exhibition Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

VietNamNet/VNA