Travel and Tourism Needs to Get More Political

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 19, 2013 – Travel industry leaders will issue a rallying call for politicians and government policy-makers around the world to start “Embracing the Complete Visitor Economy” at the PATA Annual Summit, which takes place Friday, April 26, in Bangkok.

Mr. Martin J. Craigs, PATA CEO, said: “If you want the travel and tourism industry to be respected more, given more budget from government sources, and taxed less, we need to make the case forcefully. You are invited to join the PATA Annual Summit to add your voice to the uprising that’s underway in the travel industry across the world.”

An impressive list of speakers will add their weight to the complete visitor economy agenda. From associations, organizations, and NGOs, Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, and speaker from WTTC will be there; from government, Gloria Guevara, Former Secretary of Tourism, Mexico; Chen Tiejun, Deputy Director General, Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission; from the private sector, Abid Butt, CEO, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, and Ross Jackson, Head of Cross-Border Business, APCEMEA, Visa Inc.; Lothar R. Pehl, SVP Operations and Global Initiatives, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Asia Pacific; Martin Verdon Roe, Global VP, Display Sales, TripAdvisor; Pansy Ho, Managing Director, Shun Tak Holdings; Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, UAE; Sorajak Kasemsuvan, President, Thai Airways International; Anita Mendiratta, Managing Director – CACHET Consulting/Lead Consultant of the CNN TASK Group, and many more, will all contribute their insights. TV anchor Monita Rajpal of CNN will moderate.

Mr. Abid Butt, Chief Executive Officer, Banyan Tree Hotels&Resorts, said: “Governments and the public sector around the world have recognized the importance of the visitor economy with reforms being introduced to enhance this economic component. The importance of all links understanding their role in this economic chain cannot be overstated. The ability to attract foreign visitors and their contribution to the local communities makes it a great enabler for all countries. It creates and supports employment at all skill levels, helps preserve local heritage and builds a strong sense of place, providing better understanding across different cultures. The benefits are not limited to economic gains but include social advantages, creating better places to live and work. I am glad to be participating in this dialogue coordinated by PATA to further highlight the important role of the complete visitor economy.”

There will be four concurrent interactive sessions on corporate social responsibility, facilitating and balancing safety and security, human capital development, and medical tourism integration to the complete visitor economy.

Speakers include Andrew Jones, Guardian, Sanctuary Resorts; Nicole Hausler M.A., CSR Expert, Myanmar Masterpiece; Bert van Walbeek, Managing Director, The Winning Edge; Peter Semone, Chief Technical Advisor, Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH); Kaye Chon, Dean and Chair Professor, School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Dr. Edward P Dramberger, Principal, Destination Dr., International Hospitality Consulting; Prof. Zadok S. Lempert, Chief Executive, Panorama-Medica Group; and Olivier Jager, Co-Founder&CEO, FowardKeys, Traveller Data Intelligence.

Registration is now open. Fees for the 2013 PATA Annual Summit are US$699 per person for PATA members, US$899 for Chapter members, and US$1,299 for non-members. Special rates for Young Tourism Professionals and students apply. Package prices including the PATA Annual Summit, the PATA Youth Forum and Digital Innovation Asia, which take place the same week, are also available.

For further information, contact events@PATA.org or visit www.pata.org/events/pata-annual-summit-2013-pas . To view the brochure, go to: http://64.78.36.53/Comm/PATA2013/2013PAS/new_a5%20PAS%202013-final11_with%20speakers_mar5-2013_low%20res.pdf

Media Contact:
Parita Niemwongse
PATA Communications
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 658 2000
E-mail: communications@PATA.org
Online newsroom: www.PATA.org/Press