Bangkok--26 Sep--PATA Corporate Communications BALI, INDONESIA, September 26, 2007 — PATA Travel Mart 2007 (PTM07)opened in Bali today with a total built-up floor space of 4,294 squaremetres (sq m). PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong said: “Going from strength tostrength, the Mart is again setting records in 2007.” “In today’s highly competitive marketplace, this strong sustainedgrowth is a truly remarkable performance.” Mr de Jong attributed strong member support and increased sellerrepresentations from South Asia, Northeast Asia and the Pacific asreasons for the Mart being recognised as one of the biggest travelcontracting and networking shows in Asia Pacific. “In many ways, the success of the Mart is a reflection of the dynamismand the strength of the Asia Pacific region.” Helping to drive this growth is the strong performance of Asia Pacifictravel and tourism, which last year came close to 356 millioninternational arrivals for the first time. Travel to Asia Pacific destinations will continue to outperformlong-term average global growth rates, expanding by around 6% perannum to 2009, according to the ‘PATA Annual Statistical Report 2006’,which was launched yesterday at the Mart. “In 2007, Asia Pacific has so far added an additional 13.8 millioninternational arrivals and expanded volumes by 7.1% year-on-year,”said PATA Director - Strategic Intelligence Centre Mr John Koldowski. "Flows between China (PRC), Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR continue todominate the numbers, adding 3.8 million additional arrivals andexpanding 6% in the first six months of 2007," he added. Mr de Jong confirmed the official delegate numbers for PTM07. A totalof 423 buyers representing 343 organisations from 49 source marketshave arrived at Bali International Convention Centre for PTM07. Buyers have come to negotiate with 830 seller delegates representing376 travel organisations from 38 destinations. Mr de Jong described the global nature of Asia Pacific’s sourcemarkets: “We are pleased to welcome buyers from emerging sourcemarkets such as Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Slovakia and Turkey.” Mr de Jong said: “From a seller perspective, we have a goodcross-section of inbound operators, hotels, national and regionaltourism offices, cruise operators, airlines and airports. Sellerrepresentation which has also grown strongly over the last few yearshas this year extended to include Canada. He added: “Not surprisingly, we are still seeing a presence frommainland China, with 14 seller organisations, taking 144 sq m of floorspace.” Mr de Jong reaffirmed PATA’s commitment to growing itsactivities in the “critical market” of China (PRC). Highlighting some of the features at this year’s Mart, Mr de Jongtalked about the outbound workshops organised by PATA’s StrategicIntelligence Centre which will offer essential insights into thesource markets of China and the USA; both collectively generated morethan 90 million international arrivals to Asia Pacific destinationslast year. For the first time, the annual PATA Foundation Silent Auction and thePATA Gold Awards presentation ceremony is being held in conjunctionwith the Mart. “The awards presentation lunch on Friday is dedicated to honouring our2007 Grand and Gold awards winners for their exceptionalachievements,” said Mr de Jong. Mr de Jong cited PATA’s continued successful repositioning of the Martand strong strategic support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism— Republic of Indonesia, official airline Garuda Indonesia, the BaliGovernment Tourism Office, and PATA Indonesia and Bali & Nusa Tenggarachapters, as major contributors to the success of PTM07. PATA Travel Mart is Asia Pacific’s best travel contracting andnetworking show. The Mart has been a permanent annual fixture on thetravel and tourism industry calendar since 1978. The ‘PATA Annual Statistical Report 2006’ by PATA’s StrategicIntelligence Centre is available to PATA members for US$250 andnon-members US$500. For more information, visitwww.PATA.org/catalogue or email [email protected]. For more information contact: PATA Corporate Communications Ms Min Min Wong Tel: +66 (0)2 658-2000 extension 107 Email: [email protected] PATA Marketing Communications Mr David Gillbanks Tel: +66 (0)2 658-2000 extension 108 Email: [email protected]