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One of the Asia Pacific region’s most prestigious meetings, the annual
conference of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), is to return to
Thailand in 2006 with an inspiring conference programme reflecting the deep
changes taking place within the industry.
The 55th PATA Annual Conference will take place during April 23-27, 2006
in Pattaya, Thailand, the same venue at which it was last held in Thailand
exactly 10 years ago in 1996.
Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
said, “It is very heartening to know that the leaders of the Asia-Pacific
travel and tourism industry will be joining us in commemorating the 60th
anniversary of
His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne.”
Inviting other conferences to also hold their events in Thailand in 2006,
Mrs. Juthamas said the TAT is preparing a warm welcome for the more than
1,500 PATA delegates expected. “We will ensure that they see and experience
the best of Thailand,” she said.
The conference theme is “Changing Lifestyles - New Opportunities,” and
the programme is packed with informative and educational sessions that will
identify and explain the existence of social mega-trends and how
fast-changing lifestyles and values can create new opportunities for travel
and tourism businesses.
These include changing demographics, health and wellness, travel trends
among the young, old and women travellers. There will be presentations on
technological issues, the low-cost airline phenomenon and growth in short
city-break holidays and gay holidays. The increasing competition among
destinations as venues for making films, advertising spots and documentaries
will also be discussed.
One of the conference highlights will be a dialogue amongst ministers of
the six Greater Mekong Subregion countries, including Thailand,
China,
Myanmar,
Lao PDR,
Vietnam and
Cambodia at which they will discuss the latest
challenges and opportunities facing sub-region tourism.
The
Royal Cliff Beach Resort, the host venue of the conference, will be
laying on a range of complimentary lifestyle activities for delegates,
including Spa and Thai Massage; Arts and Crafts; Thai Floral Arrangements;
Banana Leaf Decorations; Vegetable, Fruit and Soap Carving; Thai Cooking
Class; Thai Kite Making; Bamboo Basketry; Palm Leaf Weaving and Fortune
Telling sessions.
 Royal
Cliff Beach Resort Pattaya
Set in 64 acres of parkland on a quiet
headland overlooking the Gulf of Siam is the award-winning Royal Cliff
Beach Resort Pattaya. The Royal Cliff Beach Resort boasts elegant
guestrooms decorated in modern simplicity, all have balconies facing the
ocean. With a private beach, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort offers true
tranquillity and privacy for its guests. Besides a well appointed
fitness center, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort also has a large number of
unrivalled facilities such as restaurants and bars, freeform swimming
pools, tennis courts, and golf courses. Further services include body
and facial massage, as well as sightseeing trips. |
Mrs. Juthamas said, “Although foreign delegates arriving by air will not
be able to experience the
new Bangkok airport Suvarnabhumi which is due to
open later in 2006, we expect they will get a good impression of the entire
Eastern Seaboard area and the many development projects emerging there.”
Pattaya has changed considerably over the past 10 years, and is now
gearing up to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Suvarnabhumi
Airport. The new airport is located between Pattaya and
Bangkok, making
Pattaya that much more accessible to Thailand’s international visitors.
PATA President and CEO Peter de Jong said, “Thailand has hosted a number
of PATA annual conferences and travel marts, plus many other events, over
the years. Each one has been a great success and we are sure this one will
be the same.”
“We are happy to be doing our share to make this very important year
marking His Majesty the King’s 60th year on the throne a great success.”
The 2006 annual conference is expected to be attended by around 1,500
senior executives from Asia-Pacific national tourism organisations,
airlines, hotels, tour companies, researchers, consultants and other travel
related organisations.
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