The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Guangxi Tourism Administration (GXTA). The objective of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation in the sharing of research, intelligence, marketing activities and training as well as support the UNWTO/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook in Guilin, China.

The signed MoU was endorsed and exchanged by Mr John Koldowski, PATA Head of the Office of Strategy Management and Mr Chen Jianjun, Director-General of China Guangxi Tourism Administration during the 2nd Pan-beibu Gulf Think Tank Summit in Nanning, Guangxi, China, August 28-19, 2011. The two organisations will support and run (with other partners) the UNWTO/PATA Forum on Tourism Trends and Outlook held every year in Guilin, and will continue to work in concert to make this forum a well-recognised and influential forum brand worldwide.

Mr Koldowski said: “This is a significant move for both organisations, the Guangxi autonomous region receives in excess of 2.5 million tourists a year and generates several times that, especially into those countries that make up the Greater Mekong Sub-region.” 

Mr Chen Jianjun, Director-General of China Guangxi Tourism Administration said: “By signing this MoU with PATA, we are pleased to bring our exchange and cooperation to the next level. The two institutions will enhance our partnership in market development, destination promotion, events management, research and training, so as to foster tourism growth in the Asia Pacific region.”