Khon Kaen (Thailand) – December 10, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will host the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2019 from November 27 to 29 in Pattaya, Thailand. This was announced by PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy following the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2018 in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

The PDMF 2019 is organized by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) with the support of the City of Pattaya.

“It is an honor to once again partner with TCEB and TAT to organize the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2019 in Pattaya. This underscores their commitment to the responsible development of the travel and tourism industry in Thailand. We also look forward to collaborating with DASTA and the City of Pattaya to further discuss the challenges of responsible and sustainable tourism growth in marketing and management,” said Dr. Hardy. “With the plans to develop the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Pattaya aims to reposition itself as an international MICE city. The goal of our event is to highlight the challenges and opportunities in achieving these objectives.”

During the PDMF 2018, Mr. Sutham Phetchgeat, Deputy Secretary of the City of Pattaya, stated: “Pattaya is a unique place. On the coast, you can enjoy the sea, sand, and sun. I guarantee that the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2019 in Pattaya will be a resounding success. Pattaya will develop into a regional, national, and international MICE city. Particular emphasis will be placed on the environment, safety, infrastructure, and modern mass communication tools. Pattaya will become a new, world-class MICE city for Thailand and the entire world!”

Ms. Supawan Teerarat, Senior Vice President – ​​Strategic Business Development & Innovation at TCEB, stated: “TCEB is proud and delighted to promote and co-organize the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2019 in Pattaya, Thailand. The event, which will serve as a catalyst for international MICE events in Thailand, contributes to the implementation of government policies aimed at boosting and developing the regional economy. Pattaya is one of Thailand’s leading MICE cities and possesses great potential and readiness to host world-class international congresses. The city already boasts an impressive track record of hosting numerous high-profile MICE events.”

“This event will significantly contribute to raising the profile of Pattaya and other regional MICE cities as international MICE destinations. At TCEB, we are committed to responsible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable growth in the MICE sector, using MICE events to benefit local communities and promote inclusive economic growth across the country,” she added.

Ms. Srisuda Wanaphinyosak, Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for International Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas), stated that the selection of Pattaya as the host city for next year's PATA Destination Marketing Forum presents an excellent opportunity to further enhance the city's status as a MICE metropolis and exclusive travel destination, leveraging its accessibility, new luxury accommodations, and diverse activities. She added that this also supports the TAT's hub-and-hook strategy to establish Pattaya as the region's leading hub, connecting it to lesser-known destinations in the east, such as Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, and the eastern islands, through tourism activities, regional specialties, and local experiences.

Mr. Taweebhong Wichaidit, Acting Director-General of the Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), stated that DASTA is proud to showcase Pattaya's new tourism prospects for the MICE market at PATA 2019. Visitors can experience the hidden, authentic charm of local life in Pattaya, rooted in the city's natural and cultural identity and shaped by local communities. The DASTA team has been working with local stakeholders in Pattaya for years to ensure their participation in learning processes, reflection, planning, implementation, and the equitable sharing of tourism benefits, thereby guaranteeing sustainable tourism management. As such, Pattaya is one of our flagship destinations for sustainable tourism management, based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC). These criteria contribute to developing Pattaya into a green, innovative city with offerings for everyone. We warmly invite all participants to discover Pattaya's new tourism prospects – an experience that will surprise and delight you.

Pattaya is popular with both Thais and foreigners, as the city offers everything tourists need. Getting there is straightforward: you can travel from Bangkok by car, bus, minivan, or taxi. Alternatively, there is a ferry service from Hua Hin to Pattaya, which takes about an hour.

The city boasts an incredible variety of accommodations for every budget, a diverse selection of venues for creative meetings and incentive events, and three comfortable and flexible exhibition centers specifically tailored to Thailand's unique culture.

About PATA: Founded in 1951, PATA is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the responsible development of travel and tourism in, from, and within the Asia-Pacific region. The organization provides coordinated advocacy, in-depth research, and innovative events to its more than 800 member organizations, including 95 national, regional, and municipal tourism authorities; 20 international airlines and airports; 102 hospitality companies; 70 educational institutions; and over 100 Young Tourism Professionals (YTPs) worldwide. The PATA network also supports the grassroots work of PATA chapters and student chapters, which organize numerous training programs and business development events for the travel industry around the globe. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 35 local PATA chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 22 PATA student chapters. Their local activities underpin PATA's membership in Uniting Travel, a coalition of the world's leading travel and tourism organizations. Uniting Travel's goal is to ensure the industry speaks with one voice and acts collectively on key issues. Its members include ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO, and WTTC. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unique data, forecasts, and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre directly to members' desktop computers and mobile devices worldwide. PATA has been headquartered in Bangkok since 1998 and also maintains official offices or representative offices in Beijing and London.