This year’s PATA Travel Mart is going ahead but will be held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced. Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2020 (Virtual PTM 2020) will be held from 23 to 27 September. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) will be among the participants in the business-to-business networking event.
Virtual PTM 2020 is supported by the Leshan Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, and has been organised to run alongside the Sichuan International Travel Expo.
A highlight of each PATA Travel Mart is the presentation of the PATA Gold Awards. PATA will be announcing the winners of the PATA Gold Awards 2020 live on 24 September, during Virtual PTM. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes will join PATA Chief Executive Mario Hardy to announce the awardees. The awards set standards for excellence and innovation in the travel business. MGTO is supporting the PATA Gold Awards for the 25th year in a row.
The programme for Virtual PTM 2020 includes two full business days on 24 and 25 September, making it possible to schedule up to 50 appointments in all time zones, and two trade visitor days on 26 and 27 September. There are further networking opportunities in the interactive networking breaks and opportunities to gain deeper insights into the industry in the presentation hall.
The virtual event will connect qualified, international buyers and sellers from all parts of the Asia-Pacific region though pre-matched appointments. Macao will take part in Virtual PTM 2020 with a virtual booth featuring multiple representatives from the local travel trade, and showcasing Macao’s diverse tourism offering.
According to PATA Chief Executive Mario Hardy, “Virtual PTM allows business to begin exploring new opportunities and markets, particularly as travel behaviour and patterns will be dramatically different post COVID-19.”
Other highlights of Virtual PTM 2020 include PTM Forums offering insights on travel recovery post COVID-19, via live presentations and discussion panels.
For more information, visit www.PATA.org/ptm.