PATA Members Face the Press at PATA Travel Mart 2004

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has arranged 14 media briefings as part of the PATA Travel Mart (PTM04), to be held September 22-24, 2004 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Media delegates will have the option of attending informative updates by the Department of Tourism, Government of India, Guam Visitors Bureau, Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, the Nepal Tourism Board, the Sri Lanka Tourism Board, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Malaysia, and Bihar State Tourism (India).

PATA Premier Partner, Abacus, will deliver a media update as will Galaxy Distribution System, the 3rd Global Summit of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, and the PATA Foundation, which raises and dispenses funds to conservation campaigns related to tourism.

NTO representatives will present a wide range of topics. His Excellency Mr Lay Prohas, Minister of Tourism, Cambodia will provide an update on tourism development and investment opportunities in Cambodia. Mr Tek Bahadur Dangi, Chief Executive Officer, Nepal Tourism Board, will conduct a session on Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Mr Ernie A Galito, Deputy General Manager, Guam Visitors Bureau, will deliver a presentation on Guam’s initiatives to attract the longhaul travel sector. Mr S Kalaiselvam, Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Mr Jayantha Panabokke, PATA Board member, and Mr Hiran Cooray of the PATA Sri Lanka Chapter, will explain the latest trends in Sri Lankan tourism. Mr Ashok Kumar Sinha from the Department of Tourism, Travel and Trade, Government of Bihar, will present “Bodhgaya – An International Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre.”

Galaxy Distribution System will also run a presentation on the cost effective ways to facilitate ground services for the travel industry. Its presentation will be given by its Regional Director of Sales for Asia, Middle East, Africa and the CIS, Mr Paul Blahuta.

PATA Managing Director-Communications Mr Ken Scott said: “PATA wants to get as many journalists as possible in front of PATA members with new campaigns, products and services. PATA Travel Mart 2004 offers the perfect environment for journalists to absorb the latest travel industry information and expand their contacts.”