Unlocking trends of adventure travel

Al Ain became the first Arab city to host the Pacific Asia Travel Association Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart (PATA ATRTCM) recently, further cementing the region’s commitment to position itself as a leading cultural, leisure and MiCE destination.

TT Bureau

Held on the theme ‘Adventure in a New Era’, PATA ATRTCM offered delegations from across the Asia Pacific region an opportunity to exchange knowledge and unlock the full potential of the adventure tourism sector in the digital era. The event brought together industry experts and visionaries from across the globe to discuss pertinent issues in the adventure tourism sector. The conference programme included speeches and plenary sessions to debate and explore the nuances, trends and dynamics of one of the fastest growing tourism sectors. Keynote speakers included Dr Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, PATA, Thailand; Norie Quintos, Editor at Large, National Geographic Travel and Independent Communications Consultant, USA; and Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Tourism Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi.
Hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the PATA Travel Mart 2018 kicked off in Al Ain Region, as part of the PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2018 (PATA ATRTCM). Al Ain Region’s role as host for the event cements the emirate’s expanding reputation as a world-class destination for conducting business and holding high-profile conferences and meetings.
PATA Travel Mart attracts over 230 delegates from 43 representatives of member countries for its unique networking opportunities. Appointment sessions and face-to-face meetings were held with adventure product buyers and sellers from across the world.
HE Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Tourism Sector, Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi, said, “We would like to thank all the delegates for taking part at the PATA Travel Mart this year. Being one of Asia Pacific’s oldest travel trade shows, it constitutes an important platform for travel and tourism organisations to meet decision makers and new clients. We strongly believe in the need to create strong partnerships between the private and public sectors to drive the industry forward. Our aim to host and attract conferences like these is to make Abu Dhabi the place to engage with all of our international stakeholders, and exchange knowledge which would benefit our economies and communities.”