The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group to strengthen cooperation in the development of tourism training, and in co-branding a seminar on global tourism trends and destination marketing.

The MoU was signed by Mr Bill Calderwood, PATA Interim CEO and Mr Dai Zhen, Vice General Manager, CDCTG during the PATA Travel Mart in New Delhi, India.

Mr Calderwood said: “The partnership will include practical approaches for using data and statistics to develop marketing strategies and tactics to attract more visitors to Chengdu and all of Sichuan province.”

The MoU is part of an on-going collaboration between the two organisations. In June of 2008, PATA worked with CDCTG and VISA to host a tourism recovery and crisis communication workshop. The workshop gave guidance to local tourism authorities after the May 12, 2008 earthquake.

In 2009, commissioned by CDCTG, PATA assembled an international study team to conduct a research-based market study. PATA helped Chengdu assess the tourism potential of five international source markets. Chengdu has since developed a more competitive position in these five markets.

Commenting on the MoU, Mr Yin Jianhua, President, CDCTG said: “Chengdu has very international aspirations for its tourism industry development. That is why we have teamed up with PATA. Our two organisations have already worked successfully together for the benefit of Chengdu. The MoU will help Chengdu define and reach new tourism targets, and enhance crisis response and management.”