Bangkok--22 Sep--PATA The reaction of international buyer and seller delegates at PATA Travel Mart 2008 (PTM 2008), many of them participants for the first time, proved that the "magic" Mart in Hyderabad was a hit. Buyers from countries as diverse as the Netherlands, China (PRC), and the US, said they were delighted by the quality appointments, the pre-Mart appointment-matching system, and the professional and personal style of doing business. They were also impressed by the PATA region's travel and tourism products. For example, Nicole Lecomte from AFCV, France, said she was pleased by the high standard of Asia Pacific product on offer at the Mart. Louise Oostenbrink of Louise's Travel Choice, the Netherlands, said: "I look for exclusive destinations for my clients, and I found a wide range of choices at PTM 2008, which was rewarding." "As a buyer of niche products, PTM 2008 was very rewarding for me," declared Mark Pavlovsky, of Real Travel, Germany. Delegates on the supply side of the equation were also delighted by Asia Pacific's leading travel contracting and networking show. Matt Grayson of the NTA (the USA-based National Tour Association), who led a delegation of US sellers to Hyderabad, said: "I have always found PATA events to be productive, as we always meet new people. PATA Travel Mart 2008 has been very fruitful." south-pacific.travel CEO Tony Everitt, who organised the largest ever Pacific Village at a PATA Travel Mart, and is leading the South Pacific region's first official industry delegation to India, said: "PTM 2008 went very well for us, as there were many buyers who were curious about the 'New Hemisphere' markets." Udom Metatamrongsiri of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said PTM 2008 helped to dispel doubts about the country's tourism situation given the political problems in the country. He reported a "good response" to the scheduled October launch of 'Visit Thailand 2008-2009'. "PTM is great because of the pre-fixed appointments," declared Shreyas Shah of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel, Pattaya, Thailand. "But we also held many unscheduled appointments, which amounted to nearly double of what we expected!" Other independent hotels, such as the Royal Plaza Hotel of Hong Kong, and the The Chill in Koh Chang, Thailand, said PTM 2008 provided "extremely important exposure", especially as they got to meet "high-quality buyers". ABOUT PATA The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA's private- and public-sector members, it enhances the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the region. PATA provides leadership to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 international airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to more than 30 PATA chapters worldwide. PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) offers unrivalled data and insights, including Asia Pacific inbound and outbound statistics, analyses and forecasts, as well as in-depth reports on strategic tourism markets. For more information, please visit www.PATA.org.