PATA LAUNCHES SOUTH AMERICAN SALES MISSION

The Pacific Asia Travel Association is organising a sales mission to South America. The sales push will take place June 18-21 and will visit four cities in three countries.

The itinerary is: Santiago (Chile) June 18, Sao Paulo (Brazil) June 19, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) June 20 and Buenos Aires (Argentina) June 21. The aim is to boost South American outbound travel to Pacific Asia destinations.

According to PATA statistics, between 1995 and 1999 the number of South American visitors travelling to Pacific Asia countries increased 23 percent from just over 12.5 million to just under 15.5 million. In the last 12 months the Chilean economy has grown 5.8 percent and Brazil's 4.4 percent.

During the four-day mission PATA members will be able to meet over 600 tour operators, travel agents and media representatives based in South America.

PATA's Director-Latin America, Mr. Gabriel Ortiz, said: "The South American market has become increasingly sophisticated and our members will have a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with those travel agents who sell Pacific Asia to South America. It's a perfect chance to establish new business relations or enhance established ones."

Mr. Ortiz said that apart from direct business contacts, the trip would provide a memorable cultural experience.

"For some PATA members who have never been to Latin America it will be a great opportunity to observe how this part of the world lives and works," he said.

Sao Paulo houses the largest population of Japanese citizens living outside of Japan. Rio is famous for its carnival and setting. Buenos Aires is known for the life and times of Juan and Eva Peron (Evita), while Pablo Neruda (Il Postino) composed many of his poems in Santiago.