Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) attended the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit 2019 held in the Philippines. The four-day event featured a series of panel sessions, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)/PATA Leaders Debate, the PATA Annual General Meeting and the PATA Youth Symposium, among other meetings and activities.
Hosted by the Department of Tourism of the Philippines, the PATA Annual Summit 2019 was held in Cebu City, the Philippines from 9th to 12th May. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Head of Communication and External Relations Department of MGTO, Kathy Iong, Dean of Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management of the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Ben K. Goh, Coordinator for Hotel Management and Tourism Event Management Programmes, Tourism College of the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), Connie Loi, and representatives of the PATA Macao Student Chapter participated in the event together with others.
The Annual Summit, one of the Association’s major annual events, convened under the theme “Progress with a Purpose” this year. Eminent industry leaders were invited to deliver speeches and shed light on the topics concerned, among whom Global Editorial Director of the Economist Corporate Network, Andrew Staples, presented a keynote speech. Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb and Chairman of Airbnb China, Nathan Blecharczyk, also shared his perspectives in the BBC Leadership Interview. The Annual Summit attracted 383 delegates representing a total of 194 entities, coming from 43 countries and regions across Asia Pacific this year.
As the PATA Secretary/Treasurer, Director Senna Fernandes attended a series of meetings including the PATA Executive Board Meeting, the PATA Board Meeting and the PATA Annual General Meeting. The Association elected the Chairman and Vice Chairman for the next term today (12th May). Chris Bottrill was re-elected as Chairman of PATA while Soon-Hwa Wong became Vice Chairman.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association has been a significant platform for Macao to connect with the global travel trade and raise its destination profile in the world. MGTO has hence been actively engaging with PATA affairs and showing continuous support to the PATA Gold Awards. The Association bestows a range of annual awards to commend outstanding practitioners and nurture industry professionals in the field of tourism.
