PATA Travel Mart 2004 opened in Bangkok on September
22, 2004 with 345 global buyers, representing 309 organizations from 45
countries on hand to meet 720 sellers representing 342 Asia Pacific travel
and tourism organizations from 37 countries.
PATA
President and CEO Peter de Jong
These numbers represent a 70 percent larger turnout
than at PATA Travel Mart 2003 in Singapore.
Of the 171 media delegates registered for the Mart, 103
are international and 68 are domestic. PATA President and CEO Peter de
Jong said he was delighted with the strong turnout and cited PATA’s
successful repositioning of the Mart and strong strategic support from the
TAT and THAI as contributors to the success of the Mart.
PATA’s chief executive said consumer demand was
driving the travel industry, particularly pent-up demand carried over from
the SARS downturn; strong economic performances in the region; the
liberalization of aviation; and new low-cost carriers. “During a year
when PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre is reporting Asia Pacific
arrivals growth of 28 percent over 2003 - 19% above the region’s
previous best year in 2000 - it is no wonder that the industry is
responding to public demand for Asia Pacific,” he added.
Since resuming operational and marketing control of the
event in 2002, PATA has striven to reposition the Mart for future
expansion. Peter de Jong said, “For PTM04, we have reinstated the venue
rotation system, which offers delegates the opportunity to meet with fresh
faces and explore alternative destinations.”
Next year, PTM05 will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, while Hong
Kong will play host to PTM06 in 2006. “Our region deserves a large
mainstream travel trade show,” said Peter de Jong. “The turnout at the
Mart is a strong endorsement of PATA’s vision for the region.”
