TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Global stakeholders will meet at PATA Annual Summit 2022, scheduled in the UAE on the theme ‘Reconnecting the World Sustainably’. Liz Ortiguera, CEO, PATA, shares with TRAVTALK about the importance of this year’s conference, as they select Ras Al Khaimah, an upcoming destination in the UAE, as the venue for the summit.
Shehara Rizly
Could you share the theme and focus of PATA conference this year?
The theme of the PATA Annual Summit 2022 is “Reconnecting the World Sustainably”. The theme is derived from three points. First, reconnection of global travel stakeholders. For many stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region, this may be the one of the first events that they will be attending in person and very likely the first that is connecting them with partners/ stakeholders from across broader Asia as well as the Middle East, Europe, and the US. Our network connects East and West. Second, a focus on our industry recovery. Conversations and workshops will address the challenges and solutions to our complex and stage-wise recovery – which is particularly true for Asia-Pacific. And third, sustainability. While we are beginning to recover from the pandemic, we need to rethink travel and tourism to ensure that it is more resilient, sustainable, and responsible.
Why was RAK chosen as the venue?
Ras Al Khaimah is a lesser-known destination with many things to offer from the desert to the beach, as well as the Jebel Jais and the world’s longest zipline, and the pearl farm. In addition, the rich culture and heritage of the destination are just some of the other assets of the destination that would be attractive to our delegates. Most importantly, the Ras Al Khaimah Development Authority (RAKTDA) expressed a commitment to driving sustainability. They plan to be the regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025. Sustainability and social responsibility are foundational to the mission of our organisation and we share these common values with RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips and his team at RAKTDA.
Will you be able to share with us the objectives of the event?
Our objective is to host an experiential, engaging event that supports RAKTDA’s, PATA members’ and the greater industry’s critical needs and goals at this juncture in the recovery and everyone’s drive for sustainability.
How will the event promote the destination?
We have been promoting Ras Al Khaimah through our various communication channels to bring greater awareness to this destination to industry leaders, our members, and the broader industry. From Ras Al Khaimah’s convenient access from Dubai Airport to the many facets of the destination (desert, beach, mountain, adventure, culture and heritage, etc.). Just like our membership base, our speakers represent the entire spectrum of the travel and tourism industry from governments, NGOs to hoteliers, marketing agencies, and educational institutions.
How important is the Middle East market to the world?
PATA’s mission is to act as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia-Pacific region. The Middle East is a key part of the Asia mega-region as well as the centre of the most critical crossroads connecting the East and West. Two-thirds of the world’s population is within an 8-hour flight from Dubai. The Middle East market is critical to the recovery of the global travel industry.
What is the potential for the GCC/ ME region in terms of conducting MICE and events?
With the development of new, state of the art facilities with strong adherence to sustainability principles, the growth potential of MICE and events located in the Middle East will be strong.
