Albay to host PATA conference
Albay province has won the international bidding to host the 2015 Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in November 2015.
PATA officers announced this development in a related travel mart conference in Thimpu, Bhutan.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda said his province won the hosting over other giant bidders, another gainful global tourism event seen to bring more economic benefits and further boost Albay’s reputation as a leading Philippine travel and tourism growth area.
Mr. Salceda said he was informed of the travel mart hosting in a letter from PATA Executive Director Martin Craigs, who said their members believe that Albay province, particularly Legazpi City, has much to offer in terms of adventure and would be a perfect site for a conference and promotion support for emerging destinations.
The PATA Travel Mart is a signature event and a premier travel trade show in the Asia Pacific region. PATA has close to 1,000 associate groups: education and hospitality, allied partner destinations, corporate, government and industrial links, and about 70 carriers and aviation partners.
The PATA event announcement came as Albay launched a three-year hosting of the world popular XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon on 8th February, which coincided with the start of the month-long Cagsawa Festival in Daraga town.
XTERRA Albay Triathlon was participated in by 307 foreign and Filipino triathletes, exceeding the initial target of 250 participants.
Mr. Salceda said the PATA travel mart hosting would add to Albay’s whole-year round of international events and an overload of 20 festivals— dubbed as Planet Festival — promising truly enjoyable experiences for Albay visitors.
The second half of the year will see a series of technical meetings of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November this year. Three APEC senior officials’ meetings are set to be held in Albay in July, August and September.
The Department of Tourism declared Albay as the Philippines’ fastest growing tourist destination. It posted a sustained tourism growth, leaping 47 percent in 2012, 66 percent in 2013 and 52 percent in the second quarter of 2014.