PATA Exchange to Take Place in London on 15 March 2010

A second PATA Exchange is scheduled for London on 15 March 2010. Organised by PATA’s UK Chapter the PATA Exchange takes place immediately after ITB Berlin, when some delegates route through London on their way home.

This year’s inaugural event saw over 50 top Asia Pacific travel and tourism brands meet more than 120 UK agents and sellers. It attracted product, contract and reservations managers, hotel groups, destination management companies and national tourist organisations from across Asia, Australia and the Pacific. A similar delegate profile is expected next March.

The one-day Exchange will again operate on an appointments system, giving UK-based agents and buyers the opportunity to meet key sellers from the Asia Pacific region in one manageable forum.

Ian Hawkes, executive director of the PATA UK Chapter, said, “Everyone associated with the inaugural PATA Exchange felt it marked an important initiative in bringing together tourist boards, hotel chains, tour operators and ground agents with the UK travel trade. The challenge now is to build on that success and address the needs of exhibitors and visitors as our industry faces on-going challenges as well as many new opportunities.”

Ian Mills, of Langham Hotels International, added, “The timing of the PATA Exchange – straight after ITB – is key and a large part of the event’s success. This is an excellent initiative for those unable to attend ITB and we will definitely be there again in 2010.”

Entry for PATA members and non-members attending in a buying capacity is free. The cost for sellers is UK pounds 310 per company for PATA members and UK pounds 350 per company for non-PATA members. PATA Exchange will take place at Australia House in London on Monday, 15 March 2009.

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