PATA Plans New Summit-Style Conference

The Pacific Asia Travel Association is taking a fresh look at the scope and content of its annual conference, which it plans to launch in 2008 as a replacement to the annual conference, the most recent of which wrapped up last week in Pattaya. PATA plans to replace the conference with an industry-focused summit. To this end, PATA has advised the destinations selected to host the 2007 and 2008 annual conferences to cease their preparations. In addition, it will circulate new bid books for the inaugural 2008 summit to all of its member destinations later this year. PATA officers say they envision the new summit as being outward-looking, intellectually compelling and able to attract iconic speakers. As visualized, says Peter de Jong, PATA president and CEO, "The summit would demonstrate PATA's growing role as the convenor of high-level discussions on the major global issues and opportunities that shape the travel industry." In the meantime, PATA will have two board meetings and a new-style annual general meeting. The organization will consider convening smaller summit-like events in different parts of Asia and the Pacific.