PATA 2010 TO CHART COURSE OF MEETING TOURISM CHALLENGES

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUCHING, April 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will play host to the Pacific Asia
Travel Association (PATA) Annual Meeting 2010 which will look into strategies to
chart the course in meeting tourism challenges.

Some 136 delegates comprising PATA board of directors, members and staff are
expected to attend this five-day event from Friday to April 27 at the Borneo
Convention Centre Kuching here.

This annual meeting will invite its directors and members comprising the
public and private sectors of Asia Pacific travel and tourism to meet and
discuss current issues affecting the industry as well as to set the direction.

PATA will also hold its election of new office bearers.

The delegate's diary will include a half-day chapter meeting on Sunday to
invite its members to set new ideas and directions in order to remain relevant
to the industry where Tourism Malaysia's director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab,
who is also Malaysia PATA Chapter chairman, will represent the country.

A tourism seminar titled "Meeting of the Minds -- Strategies, Realities and
Charting the Course of Meeting Tourism Challenges" will be held tomorrow after
the official opening by Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

On Saturday evening, the state government will entertain the delegates with
a welcoming dinner at the new State Legislative Assembly complex at Petra Jaya
while a charity gala dinner will be held on Sunday evening at the Sarawak
Cultural Village.

Among others, there will also be hospitality programmes for the delegates'
spouses as well as the international and local media covering the various
events.

Founded in 1951, PATA is a membership association acting as catalyst for the
responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry.

In partnership with the private and public sector members, PATA enhances the
sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within
the region.
-- BERNAMA