The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) says preparations for the Bhutan’s first international trade event are going well. So far 140 people have registered including 40 buyers. Registration for the PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart (AT&RTCM) closes on December 15, 2012. Sellers will enjoy 20 pre-matched appointments. The event takes place at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Paro, Bhutan, February 3-7, 2012. 

Under the theme “High Value Tourism, Low Impact Footprints,” the four-day event brings together people involved in adventure travel and responsible tourism to create new opportunities for promoting environmental protection and social sustainability within the industry.

Martin J Craigs, PATA CEO said: “PATA is proud to bring the first B2B travel trade event to Bhutan. It is the first PATA international event of 2012. Our aim is to make real the ‘PATA Next Generation’ concept to our members by providing access, heritage and insights to help them build their business in the adventure and responsible tourism space.” 

Delegates will be able to attend a session on Challenges and Opportunities in Attracting and Retaining High Value, Low Impact Tourism. Speakers include Andrew Jones, Guardian, Sanctuary Resorts, Hong Kong, Rick Antonson, President and CEO, Tourism Vancouver, and Mr Thuji Dorji Nadik, Director (Specialist), Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Karma Tsheetim, Secretary, Gross National Happiness Commission, Bhutan, will tell attendees about Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH), which remains a guiding light in planning, policy making and implementation.

Zhang Wei, Founder and President of Jpatao Planners and Architects will update attendees on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jiu Zhai Gou in Sichuan, China. Rapid tourism development there has challenged the notion of balance between tourist numbers and natural resource management.

Jens Thraenhart, Co-Founder & President, Dragon Trail, China will lead a session that will analyse the value of protecting and utilizing ancient villages in China. Is preservation and development compatible?
   
Dr Karma Tshering, Chief, Nature, Recreation & Ecotourism Division (NRED), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bhutan, will elaborate on Bhutan’s strategies on reducing environmental impacts.

To close the event, Costas Christ, President, Beyond Green Travel LLC/Editor and Columnist, National Geographic Traveler and Chairman, World Travel and Tourism Council -Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, will deliver an address on experiential and transformation travel.

PATA has so far received positive response from buyers from the US, Singapore and Korea ROK and from regional sellers from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Sellers will enjoy 20 pre-matched appointments.

Complimentary tours will be offered including a visit to the Paro Valley, Chelela Pass and Thimphu.

For more information on PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2012, contact ATRTCM@PATA.org or visit www.PATA.org/adventure.