The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) commenced its Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart (AT&RTCM) event in Pokhara, in the mountain kingdom of Nepal. Under the theme ‘Social Give Back: Doing Well by Doing Good’, the conference once again addressed key issues facing responsible travel, and sought to improve awareness regarding sustainable tourism practices.
The AT&RTCM attracted close to 200-delegates. Sellers were from five countries, namely, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal. Among international buyers, it is gratifying to note that the event has drawn a strong presence from Russia, Poland and Canada for the first time, as also other leading destinations.
Said Greg Duffell, CEO, PATA: “PATA’s first ever Adventure Travel Conference was held in Nepal in the late 1960s. Given this background, it is fitting that this niche event is now being held in Pokhara, after its successful return to Nepal last year. Adventure travel is seeing a massive upswing around the globe and Pokhara, through its accessibility to the Annapurna Range, offers some of the best trekking routes in the world. I am certain that the post-event tours so ably organised by Nepal Tourism will go a long way in showcasing this region’s unique adventure offerings.”
Said Sheila Leong, deputy chief executive and head, office of marketing services, PATA: “This attendance is affirmation of the importance the industry accords an event of this nature. With global warming growing at the alarming pace it is, PATA is pleased and proud to be the medium through which a difference can be made to our planet, through responsible tourism measures. For the travel and tourism industry to continue to flourish, we need to first protect and nurture the environs we live in.”
This is the first official PATA event of the year 2011, which happens to be the year of the Association’s 60th anniversary, and has also been declared as ‘Nepal Tourism Year’.
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