PATA announces host destinations for three major events

Bangalore : The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the host destinations for three major events in 2017 and 2018. The announcement follows the endorsement of all three venues by the Association’s Executive Board during a meeting in Bangalore, India on September 6, 2015.
The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference & Mart 2017 will take place in Luoyang, Henan province, China. The city sits on the central plain of China and is regarded as one of the cradles of Chinese civilisation. Luoyang is one of the four great ancient capitals of China.
The name originates from the old town’s location on the north (or sunny) bank of the Luo river. The Longmen Grottoes south of Luoyang were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2000. Luoyang is famous for its water banquet comprising eight cold and 16 warm dishes – all cooked in various broths or juices.
The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference & Mart is a niche event that brings professionals involved in adventure travel and responsible tourism to discuss opportunities for pursuing and promoting environmental protection and social sustainability.
The PATA Annual Summit 2017 will take place in Negombo – a popular beach destination on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Tourism is a major contributor to local and regional incomes. Negombo is located about 20 miles north of Colombo, the island’s commercial capital, and only three miles from Bandaranaike International Airport.
The PATA Annual Summit comprises a one-day industry conference together with the Association’s Annual General Meeting, PATA Youth Symposium, PATA Market Place, PATA Chapter Colloquium, PATA Foundation Gala Dinner, committee meetings, workshops and complimentary tours.
The PATA Annual Summit 2018 takes place in Pyeongchang-gun county, Gangwon province in Korea (ROK). This region will also host the next Winter Olympics from February 9 -25, 2018. Pyeongchang-gun is located some 110 miles east of Seoul. It is a region popular with mountain hikers, skiers and snowboarders. The Alpensia ski resort attracts local and international visitors throughout the year.
PATA CEO Mario Hardy said that these three events will attract a very broad cross section of PATA members, industry affiliates, notable guest speakers and enthusiastic delegates.
Meanwhile , PATA Travel Mart 2015 (PTM2015) concluded in Bangalore, India on September 8, 2015, with the official PTM2015 Opening Ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The Mart, hosted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, attracted over 1,000 delegates from 61 destinations.
The total number of delegates for PTM2015 included 456 Sellers from 266 organisations and 28 destinations, along with 242 buyers from 233 organisations and 50 source markets.
The traditional lamp lighting and ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted by Ministers of the Government of Karnataka state Ananth Kumar, R.V. Deshpande and Srimati Umashree in the presence of PATA Chairman Kevin Murphy, PATA CEO Mario Hardy, members of the PATA Executive Board and many distinguished guests from India and overseas.- pata.org Sept 9, 2015
Forthcoming PATA events :
October 16: PATA Global Insights Conference 2015, Auckland, New Zealand
October 19-21: 9th UNWTO/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook, Guilin, China
November 25 -27: PATA New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2015, Legazpi, Philippines
February 17-19, 2016: PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference & Mart 2016, Chiang Rai, Thailand
May 18-21, 2016: PATA Annual Summit 2016, Guam, USA