Industry Heavyweights Backs Inaugural Travel Summit

[peter991]

Industry heavyweights backs inaugural travel summit

The first Annual Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Summit announced this week that it had formed a partnership with two influential organisations.

PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong revealed that the Burba Hotel Network (BHN) and the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) have jumped on board as partners with PATA on the Summit.

One specialises in the hospitality industry, the other in aviation and this alliance is naturally very much in support of the summit.

"BHN and CAPA are the recognised leaders in their respective fields, with a reputation of excellence in convening conferences that draw a broad cross-section of industry leaders and keynote speakers and an enviable track record of CEO attendance,” said de Jong.

BHN President and CEO, Jim Burba, said he was excited about the summit because it created an opportunity for leaders of all aspects of the travel industry - including destinations, hotels, attractions, tour operators, airlines and cruise lines - to come together and put the spotlight on strategic business issues bringing across perspectives from across the sector.

CAPA Executive Chairman Peter Harbison said the summit would provide a unique platform for the public and private sectors of travel and tourism to focus on the highest levels of critical business issues relating to regulation and policy.

The inaugural summit scheduled for April 2008 and will be held in Bangkok Thailand after receiving PATA received bids from five Asia Pacific locations to host the event. This summit will be a unique opportunity for leaders in travel and tourism to meet and discuss big strategic issues affecting the industry.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor, Phornsiri Manoharn, who attended the PATA Board Meeting, said TAT was pleased to be chosen to host such a significant event on the international tourism calendar.

"Thailand has hosted numerous PATA events in the past and we are honoured to be entrusted by the Association to host the first Annual PATA Summit in 2008. We look forward to working together with PATA, BHN and CAPA to ensure that the summit is a resounding success," she said.

The theme of the first Summit is still being reviewed but that it would centre on a crucial, strategic business issue that demanded the immediate attention of travel and tourism decision-makers.

PATA's ability to connect across the private and public sectors, together with its mandate to 'position, promote and protect' the Asia Pacific travel industry means we are well-placed to assume this responsibility and to accept this challenge." Mr de Jong added.

Peter