Bangkok--23 Jun--PATA Communications PATA Travel Mart 2008 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, India September 16-19, 2008 www.PATA.org/mart MEDIA REGISTRATION Why participate? PATA Travel Mart (PTM) is unquestionably Asia Pacific's best travel contracting and networking show. This year, it will be held in India, one of the fastest growing tourism markets in the world, both as a source of outbound travellers and as a recipient of international arrivals. The host city, Hyderabad, is India's fifth largest city and fast emerging as the country's information technology hub. As well as gaining first-hand experience of this dynamic market, participating media have the opportunity to gain exclusive editorial insights into the some of major trends and issues impacting our industry today through workshops and media briefings. Strategic Workshops On Wednesday and Thursday (September 17-18), industry and government leaders will join panel discussions in workshops focusing on the India and South Pacific markets. The India workshop, sponsored by Nielsen, will be moderated by Ashwini Kakkar, Executive Vice Chairman of Mercury Travels and feature executives from Kuoni, Amadeus and Jet Airways. Lunch will be provided during the workshops which are free to media. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, email [email protected] Interactive Briefings PTM Media briefings are interactive forums in which media delegates have the opportunity to question destination marketers and industry leaders about their tourism strategies and plans. One of the briefings, for example, will focus on Chengdu's recovery plans following the May 12 earthquake. Hong Kong will discuss its plans for developing its cruise and MICE business. A final schedule will be made available to registered media delegates in August. Media Centre During the Mart, a media centre, sponsored by Amadeus, will be available to all media delegates as a working office and news source. PATA will arrange digital distribution of media releases and images. Other facilities include: - News bulletin board - Lounge chairs and coffee tables for discussion / interview sessions o Computer terminals with Internet access, plug-in USB ports and CD-burners o Printing service; IDD fax line; local telephone lines PATA Gold Awards PATA's Gold Awards, sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office, recognise exceptional achievement by travel and tourism industry organisations in the areas of marketing, environment, heritage and culture and education and training. All award winners will be honoured during a special luncheon at the Mart on Friday, September 19, which is free to media. Social Functions Apart from the business sessions, there will be plenty of opportunities to mingle with delegates and fellow media at hosted social functions including: - Welcome reception - Delegates "happy hour" - Hosted dinners and late-night functions o Complimentary half-day tours. For full details, please visit http://www.ptmindia08.com/tours.asp. Travel assistance All media delegates can enjoy: - Preferential airfare rates on the official airline, Air India; and supporting airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Japan Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines and Thai Airways International o Preferential room rates at official and supporting hotels o Complimentary return airport transfers and local coach transfers to the Hyderabad International Convention Centre For further information, visit www.PATA.org/mart.