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PATA Japan Chapter 2004 Annual
General Meeting
The PATA Japan Chapter held its 2004 AGM on Tuesday May 18th at the
New Takanawa Prince Hotel, a PATA Japan Chapter member. The AGM was
well attended, with over 70 Chapter members and representatives present.
The event began with a meeting of the Board of Directors, and was
followed by the AGM proper, providing a run down of events from the
past year, as well as proposals and ideas for the coming year. The
PATA Japan Chapter was also delighted to have the opportunity to
welcome two important guests from PATA HQ, Mr. KC Sim, Director,
and Mr. Stephen Yong, Director – Business Development.
Mr. Sim and Mr. Yong made presentations to the participants discussing
how best PATA HQ and the PATA Japan Chapter can work together and
support each other in the future, as well as introducing the Chapters
Integration Plan (see below), PATA Travel Mart 2004 (see below) and
the successes of Project Phoenix. The event proved to be a great
opportunity for Chapter members to broaden their network, as well
as giving everyone a chance to think about greater cooperation and
integration in the future. The AGM was followed by an informal reception,
providing the ideal atmosphere for participants to exchange ideas
with Mr. Sim and Mr. Yong. We also had the pleasure of welcoming
two very important guests to the reception; Mr. Akira Moriyama,
Secretary General of the Visit Japan Campaign Secretariat, and Mr.
Hiroshi Tabata of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The PATA Japan Chapter is now looking forward to the next year and
to further opportunities to work more closely with our fellow members
and PATA HQ.
PATA Travel Mart 2004
(PTM04)
The 27th PATA Travel Mart will be held from September 22nd to 24th
at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok,
Thailand. The event will showcase the best and most interesting tourism
products from the Asia Pacific region to buyers from all over the
world, and is the only such event wholly dedicated to travel and
tourism in the Asia Pacific region. Last year’s PATA Travel
Mart 2003 held in Singapore saw a total of 213 seller organizations
from 33 countries, and 190 buyers from 46 countries participating.
Buyers who register for the Mart before July 4, 2004, will be able
to benefit from pre-matched and on-site appointment sessions to source
supply of the best products and services in Asia Pacific. Sellers
at PTM04 will be able to benefit from pre-matched sessions to meet
with qualified travel planners from Asia Pacific and around the world,
as well as having the chance to expose their products and services
to buyers from emerging markets such as Russia, Eastern Europe, China,
India, the Middle East and Northeast Asia. Further details of the
27th PATA Travel Mart can be found on the PATA website (www.PATA.org)
in the Events section. For those who require more specific information
on selling and buying at the Mart, please contact Ms. Mam Puangthip
(for Sellers) or Mr. KC Sim (for Buyers) at ptm@PATA.org.
Win a US$1,500 Space
at PATA Travel Mart 2004
In June 2004, PATA Events is giving away 9-sqm of shell scheme booth
space at the PATA Travel Mart 2004 (PTM04). The space is valued at
US$1,500 (non-member rate)*. There are also two runner-up prizes – a
PATA watch and PATA polo shirt. Answer the following 5 questions
correctly for a chance to win (Hint: Answers can be found on www.PATA.org):
- Who should prospective buyers contact for information about
PTM04?
- Who should prospective sellers contact for information about
PTM04?
- Who should prospective media delegates contact for information
about PTM04?
- Who should prospective sponsors contact for information about
PTM04?
- What does QSNCC stand for?
Please send your answers and mailing address to PATA Editor – Communications,
Mr. David Gillbanks, at editor@PATA.org before
June 29th. Respondents with five correct answers will be entered
into a lucky draw for the three prizes. Winners will be announced
in the June 30 edition of News@PATA, so be sure to subscribe if you
haven’t done already.
* The prize is not transferable, not refundable,
and does not include; 1) the compulsory first seller delegate registration
fee of US$460 (PATA member rate); 2) the optional appointment-matching
service worth US$450; 3) transport to Bangkok; or 4) accommodation
in Bangkok. For further information please email ptm@PATA.org.
PATA Chapters Integration
Plan
A three-year Chapters Integration Plan is now underway, following
approval by the PATA Board of Directors at the recent 53rd PATA Annual
Conference in Jeju, Korea. The Plan seeks to progressively increase
the number of Chapter members signing on as PATA members in the period
2004-2007. By the 54th PATA Annual Conference in Macau, 2005, the
plan calls for all Chapters to be in compliance with 1991 criteria.
In 1991, the PATA Board of Directors passed a resolution allowing
non-PATA members to become chapter-only members, with the following
compliance responsibilities:
- The Chapter Chair and Vice-Chair must be PATA members
- A minimum of 10 Chapter members must be PATA members
- An updated membership roster and minutes of Chapter meetings
must be filed with PATA headquarters
However, as of 2004, only 2 Chapters, or the equivalent of 3% of
all 70 Chapters, complied with these requirements. By 2006, 50% of
chapter-only members must be PATA members under the plan. By 2007,
chapters should be fully integrated, with 100% of members as PATA
members. PATA management will also introduce a new member category:
Independent Retail Travel Agents. PATA will appoint a dedicated staff
liaison to manage the implementation of the Chapters Integration
Plan and to provide ongoing support to chapters. Comments and feedback
related to the Chapters Integration Plan can be sent to PATA Vice
President – Development, Mr. Peter Semone at pas@PATA.org.
PATA Asian Chapters
Conference and Mart
The PATA Philippine Chapter, with the support of the Philippine Department
of Tourism, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation and
Philippine Airlines, will host the PATA Asian Chapters Conference
and Mart at the Westin Philippine Plaza from September 22 – 25,
2004. The 30day event, with the theme “Lets Do Business”,
aims to bring together members of PATA Asian Chapters to explore
business opportunities and meet new contacts through a 1-day Buyer
meet Seller session. Selected regional chapters will present a comprehensive
profile of their country’s outbound market. Further information
on the event can be obtained by contacting the PATA Asian Chapters
Conference and Mart Secretariat at ttu@dotpcvc.gov.ph,
or efnelle@tourism.gov.ph.
PATA Foundation Calls
for Grant Applications
The 2004 deadline for submitting grant applications to the PATA Foundation
is July 31. PATA chapters are welcome to nominate projects. Eligible
projects are those that serve to sustain or rehabilitate the environment
or cultural heritage of an area, and which have a potential positive
impact on tourism. A project may also seek to educate local stakeholders
and tourists about sustainability issues. For 20 years, the PATA
Foundation has disbursed donated funds to community projects throughout
Asia Pacific. For further information, please contact PATA Director – Board
and Foundation Relations, Ms. Ratana Poopitakchatkaew. Tel: (66-2)
658-2000 ext. 102; email foundation@pata.org.
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