Search, Connect, Experience – the Future of Tourism
Bangkok: Under the theme, “Search, Connect, Experience – the Future of Tourism,” the PATA Youth Forum will tap into the insights of industry leaders on how consumers will find, search and connect to travel in the future.
Hosted by the College of Innovation at Thammasat University, the Forum will take place Thursday April 25 at Sri Burapa Auditorium, Thammasat University, Tha Pra Chan Campus, Bangkok. The Forum will commence one day prior to the 2013 PATA Annual Summit and is aiming to attract hundreds of young professionals and students from overseas and Thailand.
The theme for the Forum was developed with guidance from Professor Dr JS Perry Hobson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at Taylor’s University Malaysia, Malaysia.
Dr Hobson said: “Some 90%+ of people now search online before making and booking their next trip. Today we ‘Google’ our holiday information and share the travel experience on TripAdvisor. Students not only need to understand the current state of play, but also to focus on the next step of this evolution. After all, we need to think about what is going to help tourists to not only search and find out about a destination – but also to connect more fully with the experiences a destination can offer.”
The Forum has sessions such as “Experience – Making Events Happen,” “Experience – Same, Same – But Different,” “Developing Innovative Experiences,” and “The Future of Tourism: Industry Perspectives from Thailand.”
Dr Glenn McCartney, Assistant Professor in Hospitality and Gaming Management at the University of Macau will speak on the topic “Experience – Making Events Happen.”
Other speakers include Prof Dr Somkit Lertpaithoon, Rector, Thammasat University, Mr Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO, Mr Ariya Banomyong, Country Manager, Google Thailand, Mr Siradej Donavanik, Manager – Operations & Profit Improvement, Dusit International, Thailand, Mr Arrut Navaraj, Managing Director, Sampran Riverside, Thailand and Mr Peter Jordan, International Relations Officer, WYSE Travel Confederation, The Netherlands.
For further information and registration, contact Angkana@PATA.org visit http://www.pata.org/news/pata-youth-forum-2013.
