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 square
metres (sq m).
PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong said: “Going from strength to
strength, the Mart is again setting records in 2007.”
“In today’s highly competitive marketplace, this strong sustained
growth is a truly remarkable performance.”
Mr de Jong attributed strong member support and increased seller
representations from South Asia, Northeast Asia and the Pacific as
reasons for the Mart being recognised as one of the biggest travel
contracting and networking shows in Asia Pacific.
“In many ways, the success of the Mart is a reflection of the dynamism
and the strength of the Asia Pacific region.”
Helping to drive this growth is the strong performance of Asia Pacific
travel and tourism, which last year came close to 356 million
international arrivals for the first time.
Travel to Asia Pacific destinations will continue to outperform
long-term average global growth rates, expanding by around 6% per
annum 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 million
international 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 to
dominate the numbers, adding 3.8 million additional arrivals and
expanding 6% in the first six months of 2007," he added.
Mr de Jong confirmed the official delegate numbers for PTM07. A total
of 423 buyers representing 343 organisations from 49 source markets
have arrived at Bali International Convention Centre for PTM07.
Buyers have come to negotiate with 830 seller delegates representing
376 travel organisations from 38 destinations.
Mr de Jong described the global nature of Asia Pacific’s source
markets: “We are pleased to welcome buyers from emerging source
markets such as Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Slovakia and Turkey.”
Mr de Jong said: “From a seller perspective, we have a good
cross-section of inbound operators, hotels, national and regional
tourism offices, cruise operators, airlines and airports. Seller
representation which has also grown strongly over the last few years
has this year extended to include Canada.
He added: “Not surprisingly, we are still seeing a presence from
mainland China, with 14 seller organisations, taking 144 sq m of floor
space.” Mr de Jong reaffirmed PATA’s commitment to growing its
activities in the “critical market” of China (PRC).
Highlighting some of the features at this year’s Mart, Mr de Jong
talked about the outbound workshops organised by PATA’s Strategic
Intelligence Centre which will offer essential insights into the
source markets of China and the USA; both collectively generated more
than 90 million international arrivals to Asia Pacific destinations
last year.
For the first time, the annual PATA Foundation Silent Auction and the
PATA Gold Awards presentation ceremony is being held in conjunction
with the Mart.
“The awards presentation lunch on Friday is dedicated to honouring our
2007 Grand and Gold awards winners for their exceptional
achievements,” said Mr de Jong.
Mr de Jong cited PATA’s continued successful repositioning of the Mart
and strong strategic support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
— Republic of Indonesia, official airline Garuda Indonesia, the Bali
Government Tourism Office, and PATA Indonesia and Bali & Nusa Tenggara
chapters, as major contributors to the success of PTM07.
PATA Travel Mart is Asia Pacific’s best travel contracting and
networking show. The Mart has been a permanent annual fixture on the
travel and tourism industry calendar since 1978.
The ‘PATA Annual Statistical Report 2006’ by PATA’s Strategic
Intelligence Centre is available to PATA members for US$250 and
non-members US$500. For more information, visit
www.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]