SECOND PATA EXCHANGE BRINGS TOGETHER ASIA PACIFIC SUPPLIERS FOR LONDON EVENT
Date:
24/11/2009
SECOND PATA EXCHANGE BRINGS TOGETHER ASIA PACIFIC SUPPLIERS FOR LONDON EVENT
The second annual PATA Exchange has been confirmed for March 15 in London and aims to build on the success of an inaugural event that saw over 50 of the Asia Pacific region’s most respected travel and tourism brands meet more than 120 UK agents and sellers.
Organised by the UK chapter of PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association), PATA Exchange will be held following the ITB event in Berlin, when large numbers of delegates exhibiting there route through London on their way home.
Among these attending the PATA Exchange will be product, contract and reservations managers, hotel groups, destination management companies and national tourist organisations from across Asia, Australia and the Pacific.
The day will again operate on an appointments system, giving agents and buyers in the UK the chance to meet the region’s key sellers in one manageable forum.
Ian Hawkes, executive director of the PATA (UK Chapter), says: “Everyone associated with the inaugural PATA Exchange felt it marked an important initiative in bringing together tourist boards, hotel chains, tour operators and ground agents with the UK travel trade. The challenge now is to build on that success and address the needs of exhibitors and visitors as our industry faces on-going challenges as well as many new opportunities.”
Commenting on the success of last year’s event, Ian Mills of Langham Hotels International, said: “The timing of the PATA Exchange – straight after ITB – is key and a large part of the event’s success. This is an excellent initiative for those unable to attend ITB and we will definitely be there again in 2010.”
Entry for PATA members attending in a buying capacity is free and allows for up to five members of staff, while the cost for non-PATA members is £25 for two delegates.
The cost for sellers is £310 per company for PATA members and £350 per company for non-PATA members attending with two members of staff.
PATA Exchange takes place at Australia House in London on Monday March 15. For further information and to register visit www.pataexchange.com
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November 24, 2009
Issued of behalf of PATA (UK Chapter) by David Leck Associates. Press enquiries to David Leck on 01322 528580/07710 326256.
NOTE TO EDITORS The UK Chapter of PATA has around 80 principal members – airlines, national and regional tourist offices, hotel groups and tour operators, both direct and wholesale. In addition, it has over 1450 UK travel agents, 99 per cent of which are independent and form PATA’s Asia Pacific Travel Partners group.
