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PATA Travel Mart 2004 - Japan
Booth proves to be a Great Success
The 2004 PATA Travel Mart was held from September 22nd - 24th at
the Queen Sikhrit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 27th PATA Travel Mart was the largest ever, with 345 buyers from
45 countries and 702 sellers from 37 countries, representing a total
of 342 companies and organisations, participating in the event. Additionally,
a total of 171 media representatives from around the world were in
attendance. Compared to last year’s event held in Singapore,
the number of participants increased by 70%, reflecting the industry-wide
determination for the worldwide travel industry to overcome recent
disasters and make a full recovery. Following this trend, the PATA
Japan Chapter, with the Visit Japan Campaign, hosted two booths under
the theme of “Japan Tourism” for the first time.  Ms.
Emiko Iwasa of the Japan Hotel Association, Mr. Kazuaki Saiga of
Japan Airlines, and Mr. Kohei Miyagishima of All Nippon Airways,
represented Japan at the booth, and made great efforts to showcase
the attractions and sales points of Japan to the attending buyers.
The Japan Tourism Booth was also a venue for Chapter Members that
were unable to attend the Travel Mart to display their own pamphlets
and sales materials, which were kindly distributed by the aforementioned
representatives. The PATA Japan Chapter would like to express our
thanks to the Japan Hotel Association and the Visit Japan Campaign
for their organizational efforts and the provision of materials,
as well as All Nippon Airways for providing discounted airfares.
The PATA Japan Chapter was able to host the Japan Tourism Booth this
year as a result of discussions with PATA HQ that led to the decision
that, since it would be a great waste not to have Japan representation
at such an important event, PATA HQ would provide the booth free
of charge. We hope to be able to use this kind of event as an opportunity
to promote Japan as a destination and as a venue for our Chapter
members’ sales activities in the future.
New-look www.pata.org
website launched
PATA HQ has launched a new-look website, www.pata.org.
The website features information in a number of Asian languages,
including Japanese. The new PATA.org is a much larger site than the
old one, packed with information and resources about the Association
and its many activities. The Web site's contemporary design and navigability
ensure a more enriching browsing experience for PATA members, the
industry and media. PATA members can now nominate their own usernames
and passwords to enter the members-only zone of PATA.org.
New features coming soon include:
- Secure online membership application and dues payment by January
1, 2005
- Secure online events registration and fees payment by January
2005
- An advanced searchable publications catalogue with secure online
shopping cart and credit card payment by December 15, 2004
- An advanced searchable membership directory by December 15,
2004
- Interactive maps and destination information in "About
Asia Pacific" by December 2004
- Topical discussion forums
PATA Board of Directors
Meeting
The PATA Board of Directors Meeting was held in Bangkok from September
25th-26th. Mr. Nobutaka Ishikure, Executive Officer, Industry Affairs
at Japan Airlines and Chairman of the PATA Japan Chapter, and Mr.
Kiyotaka Kaburaki, of Travel Journal, attended the meeting as representatives
from Japan. Topics discussed included the 2004 PAC held in Jeju,
Korea in April this year, next year’s PAC 2005 in Macau, and
reports from the Executive Committee, Treasurer, and PATA Foundation
amongst others.
PATA Gold Awards Open
until December 1st
The PATA Gold Awards 2005 are open for submissions until December
1st, 2004 only. The PATA Gold Awards competition is the Asia Pacific
travel industry’s premier awards programme recognizing excellence,
innovation and dedication across the whole spectrum of travel and
tourism endeavors in the region. Within the Gold Awards, PATA will
also present Grand Awards in the following categories:
- Environment
- Marketing
- Education & Training
- Heritage & Culture
Gold Awards will be awarded in the above categories, as well as in
the following categories:
- Travel Journalism
- Public Relations
- Advertising
PATA Gold Awards recipients will be honored during a special luncheon
on April 18th, 2005 during the PATA Annual Conference in Macau. The
Grand Award recipients will be recognized during the opening ceremony
of the Conference. Winners will receive a plaque and will also be
featured in the TTG Asia Conference Daily newspaper. The winning
entries will be on display at the Conference for all delegates to
enjoy. All winning entries will be profiled in a special souvenir
winners’ booklet and on the PATA website. The Gold Awards programme
is only open to PATA-member organisations, with the following exceptions:
PATA Chapters may enter the Environment, Heritage & Culture and
Education & Training categories. The Travel Journalism category
is open to all published writers and photographers.
There is still a little time left to apply, so please take up the
challenge! In last year’s Gold Awards, Japan Airlines won an
award for their TV commercial featuring popular group Southern All
Stars in the “Travel Advertisement Awards Tourism Promotion
Video” category.
New Chapter Member
Announcement
The PATA Japan Chapter is delighted to welcome Hirata Tourism Company
as a new Chapter Member:
Hirata Tourism Company
2 Banchi, Misaki-cho
Ishigaki-shi, Okinawa-ken
Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Naoshi Hirata
Administrative Director – Mr. Takafumi Okudaira
2005 New Year Event
and Reception
The PATA Japan Chapter is planning to hold a New Year Event and Reception
at the beginning of January. Details will follow, so please be sure
to keep your schedule open for what is sure to be an enjoyable event!
PATA Annual
Conference 2005 in Macau
The 54th PAC will be held from April 17th – 21st in Macau under
the theme of “Connecting Tourism’s Stakeholders”.
Pamphlets for the event have arrived at the PATA Japan Chapter Secretariat,
so if you would like to obtain one, please contact
us here at the office, or see www.pata.org for
further details of the event.
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