Top Insights from Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021
Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021, in conjunction with the Sichuan International Travel Expo, took place online from September 2-5. Sellers Booths from 226 organisations represented 30 destinations, allowing us to explore the latest travel products from across the globe. And through the insightful PTM Forums, we learnt the latest destination updates and gained the perspectives of key segments and stakeholders from the industry.
If you missed any sessions from the event, you can rewatch them on demand on the event platform until October 5 or through our YouTube channel at anytime.
Here are the top insights from Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021:
'Destination Recovery Insights from Southeast Asia, West Asia, and South Asia'
Top L/R: Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas), Tourism Authority of Thailand; Paul Pruangkarn, Director - Communications & External Affairs; Bottom L/R: Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board; Dhananjay Regmi, CEO, Nepal Tourism Board
Through Thailand's Phuket Sandbox model of rejuvenating international tourism, 25,000+ visitors have been welcomed over 60 days, generating US $50 million into the tourism industry.
Since the pandemic, Azerbaijan has been focusing on developing its ecotourism potentials, such as birdwatching activities and viewing volcanic landscapes, as well as training programmes to upskill local industry experts.
98%+ of residents in Nepal's tourist trekking regions are vaccinated. This reflects the destination's priority to vaccinate tourism workers first, which will allow them to take care of vaccinated visitors and quickly facilitate the restart of tourism.
'Hotel and Accommodation and others Insights Exchange and Product Briefings'
Top L/R: Rita J. Pradhan, CEO, Temple Tiger Group of Companies; Paul Pruangkarn, Director - Communications & External Affairs; Bottom L/R: Olivia Ooi, General Manager, Desaru Coast
Since 1988, the Temple Tiger Group of Companies has been working to make Nepal accessible for all travellers, as well as to strengthen its nature conservation, such as through the organisation's projects in renewable energy and wildlife preservation.
While Desaru Coast is focusing on the domestic Malaysian market at the moment, the integrated resort is confident about that the international interest will remain strong, especially as it was recognised as one of Time Magazine's World’s Greatest Places in 2021.
'Buyer Insights Exchange'
L/R: David Chai, Director of Product Development - Travel, TIDESQUARE; Surakit Jamkajang, Managing Director, One World Tour and Travel
The top products for travel buyer TIDESQUARE at the moment are all-inclusive packages and honeymoon travel because of restrictions on weddings and the celebration of other important human milestones during the pandemic.
For One World Tour and Travel as a travel buyer, health and safety certifications are very important. Travellers want to ensure that the hotels, restaurants, and attractions they visit are all in compliance with government regulations.
'Destination, Tour Operator and DMC Insights Exchange and Product Briefings'
Top L/R: Mary Wan Mering, Director of Marketing (International Market), Sarawak Tourism Board; Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Tourism Board; Bottom L/R: Simone Sturla, Inbound Manager, Asian Trails China, Peter Christensen, Regional Manager Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Discova
70% of the land in Sarawak, Malaysia is a tropical rainforest, which makes it easy for visitors to experience adventure through trekking, canoeing, and kayaking. Its Rainforest World Music Festival is one of the top 25 best festivals in the world.
As Sabah, Malaysia sets to restart travel, it to emphasise its rich natural heritage, cultural diversity, and rural tourism, where community-based tourism products have been present since 2014.
Within China, the domestic travel market has been quite active and fast-changing, which meant that Asian Trails has had to adapt to new trends, such as luxury lodges and helicopter trekking.
As part of the shift from international to domestic markets, Discova has been emphasising opportunities for families and friends to reconnect, such as through tailored atmospheres within simple and local experiences.
'Destination Recovery Insights from Pacific and Northeast Asia'
Top L/R: Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office; Paul Pruangkarn, Director - Communications & External Affairs, PATA; Bottom L/R: Petero Manufolau, CEO, Tourism Authority of Kiribati; Gerald Perez, Vice President, Guam Visitors Bureau
Since the pandemic, Macao, China has been developing its Tourism-Plus initiative to synergise tourism's relationship with industries like sports and e-commerce to jointly push their development forward.
Kiribati hopes to reopen for visitors in early 2022 after fully inoculating all of its eligible citizens. The destination has not had a case of COVID-19 and will continue to set up safety protocols and long-term sustainable tourism policies.
To prepare for the restart of travel, Guam, USA has been encouraging its tourism industry partners to improve local facilities and secure safe travel designations, and migrate towards a more digitised environment.
'Closing Remarks from PATA CEO'
Liz Ortiguera, CEO, PATA
PATA's CEO shared a warm message, thanking all of the delegates, partners, and sponsors of the Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021.
'Closing Remarks from Leshan'
Chen Guanghao, Acting Mayor, Leshan Municipal People's Government of Sichuan Province
The Acting Mayor of Leshan Municipal People's Government of Sichuan Province shared a message of thanks to all delegates of the event and cordially invited everyone to visit the beautiful city of Leshan, China.
Rewatch the session on demand >
See the top attractions in Leshan >
Take a Look at the Event Photos:
Registration to Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021 was complimentary for all delegates through the support of the Leshan Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau (Official Event Partner). We are grateful for the support of Dragon Trail International (Official Virtual Platform Partner), as well as Luxury & Boutique Hotels & Destinations, RM Consultants, and TIDESQUARE (Contributing Partners).
Thank you to Sabah Tourism Board, Avis Budget Group, Bluewater Resorts, Catcity Holidays, Conrad Manila, Hilton Manila, Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa, Langtang Ri Trekking & Expedition, Meridian Adventure Dive, rezio, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, and Temple Tiger Group of Companies (Prize Sponsors). We would also like to thank our Supporting Media Partners: eGlobal Travel Media, Profi.Travel, Travel Daily News, Travelindex, Travel Weekly, TTG Asia Media, TTN Worldwide, and TTR Weekly.
Most importantly, thank you to all of our delegates, Buyers, Sellers, and speakers for making the event possible!
