Lanka to host PATA summit

Being held from May 18-21, 2017, the PATA Annual Summit will address disruption, innovation and transformation through a notable line-up of industry stalwarts.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is all geared up for the upcoming Annual Summit scheduled to be held in Jetwing Blue in Negombo, Sri Lanka. The three-day programme will gather the crème de la crème of the tourism industry along with an inspiring speaker line-up who will address current key issues in the travel and tourism industry. So far, panellists with the likes of Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO); Thao Nguyen, Head of Strategic Partnerships, APAC, Airbnb; Vijay Poonoosamy, Vice President, International Affairs, Office of the President & CEO, Etihad Airways; Erick Stephens, Chief Technology Officer-APAC, Microsoft; Hiran Cooray, Chairman, Jetwing Hotels; Lawrence Leong, Former Assistant Chief Executive (International Group), Singapore Tourism Board; Sarah Mathews, Head of Destination Marketing APAC, TripAdvisor, among many others will take the stage.

Topics such as ‘Managing Disruption through Innovation’, ‘The Transformation of Marketing’, ‘Research Innovation’, ‘Disrupting the Travel Industry’, etc. will be explored. “We are excited to assemble such an impressive line-up of speakers for the PATA Annual Summit. These speakers represent companies that have been in the forefront of disrupting, innovating and transforming the global travel and tourism industry,” said Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA.

“This is the perfect opportunity for all industry stakeholders to stay abreast of the rapid changes that are taking place in today’s ever evolving landscape.” Under the theme ‘Disruption. Innovation. Transformation: The Future of Tourism’, the event also features a half-day UNWTO/PATA Ministerial Debate where industry leaders and government representatives will discuss ’The Shift to Recognised Sustainability Leadership’ and ‘The Sharing Economy in Travel and Tourism’.

“This is the perfect opportunity for all industry stakeholders to stay abreast of the rapid changes that are taking place in today’s ever evolving landscape”

• Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA