PATA Annual Summit 2016 to be Held in Guam

Tumon (Guam) – May 13, 2015 – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to be organising the PATA Annual Summit 2016 at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort in Tumon, Guam in May. The Summit, generously hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau, will include a one-day conference, the PATA Youth Symposium, the PATA Executive Board and Committee meetings, and Annual General Meeting 2016.

“We’re glad we’re able to support the Pacific Asia Travel Association and its anniversary celebration. This event will precede the Festival of Pacific Arts, which will be held in May 2016. It will be another opportunity for Guam to demonstrate its ability to host international, multi-level conferences,” said Governor Eddie Baza Calvo. “As the gateway between Asia and America, Guam’s geographic location, its perfect blend of Pacific islander, Asian and American community, and it’s beautiful beaches all come together to provide a unique experience.”

PATA CEO Mario Hardy, along with staff from PATA Headquarters, are currently in Guam to endorse the the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts (FestPac) to be held in Guam fro May 22 – June 4, 2016. The Festival of the Pacific Arts is held every four years since 1972, and brings together artists and cultural practitioners from around the Pacific region for two weeks of festivity.

At the press conference, Mr. Hardy added, “Founded in 1951, PATA will be holding its 65th Anniversary next year and with Guam as one of its founding members, I am delighted that we have the opportunity to host the event in this island paradise. We have plans to add more value to this event for our delegates and we are excited to be working with the wonderful people at the Guam Visitors Bureau, who I know will help deliver a truly successful event.”

Guam is “Where America’s Day Begins.” As the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas, this unincorporated territory of the United States has a rich 4,000-year-old history and culture based on its indigenous Chamorro people. Guam is about 8 miles wide and 32 miles long, and is located 900 miles north of the equator in the Western Pacific. Commonly referred to as “America in Asia”, Guam is a 3 to 5 hour flight from the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong SAR, and Australia. Its capital city is Hagåtña (formerly Agana).

With pristine beaches, friendly people and wholesome island hospitality, this unique world-class destination has tropical weather conditions year-round. Guam also has a plethora of activities to keep visitors from all over the world entertained since tourism is its top economic driver. From snorkeling, scuba diving, skydiving, golfing, hiking, luxury shopping, international and local cuisine dining, and key cultural and signature events, there is much to do and see on Guam.

Dusit Thani Guam Resort, the island’s newest and only 5-star luxury hotel, is home to Guam’s first convention center.

United Airlines is the official airline for the PATA Annual Summit 2016.

For more information about the event, email events@PATA.org.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, comprising 87 government, state and city tourism bodies, 31 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, 61 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 43 local PATA chapters worldwide. The chapters organise travel industry training and business development events. Their grassroots activism underpins PATA’s membership of the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC), which includes ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO and the WTTC. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing, Sydney, Dubai, and London. Visit www.PATA.org.

Media Contact:
PATA
Paul Pruangkarn
Manager – Communications
Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 658 2000
E-mail: Communications@PATA.org