Last week, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), UK & Ireland hosted a brand new training event in London featuring the Indian Ocean and, for the first time, the Middle East. The night was a huge success, providing frontline agents with the chance to meet and train with 10 top suppliers including hotels and tourist boards as they discovered and learnt about new products in both the Indian Ocean and Middle East, understanding how these destinations compliment one another to create exciting, luxury and honeymoon focused itineraries.
PATA agent member, Daryl Glean from Travel Counsellors said: “It was well worth attending the PATA event. I learnt so much from the suppliers that attended. I now feel very confident in selling both the Indian Ocean and Middle East to my future customers.”
11 suppliers, of which half represented the Middle East, was a fantastic turn out for the first dual destination event PATA has hosted to include this part of the region. In attendance was:
- Qatar Tourism
- Ajman Tourism
- NH Collection The Palm Dubai
- Dusit Hotels & Resorts (dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar, Oman)
- Canopy Marketing (representing: Niyama Private Island Maldives & Raffles The Palm Dubai)
- LD Sales & Marketing (representing: Uga Sri Lanka, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives & Mautourco Mauritius)
- Baglioni Maldives
- Heritance AARAH, Maldives
- Angsana Velavaru, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru
- Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
- Crossroads Maldives
Betsie Barr, Marketing & Events Manager for PATA UK & Ireland commented: “The addition of the Middle East in our training calendar is really exciting, enabling agents to network, learn and build connections with key suppliers with two key areas of the PATA region that complement each other so well. Our agent events continue to be a big hit and we’re really pleased with the quality of agents who attended last week.”
Perhaps not immediately considered part of the PATA region, the addition of the Middle East to the Indian Ocean roadshow was really well received.
“The Middle East is of course a stand alone holiday destination in itself but also serves as a key gateway to Asia and Australia and is a key partner to the Indian Ocean too. The event enticed a lot of luxury hotels and further promoted the region as a luxury and honeymoon hot spot. Indirect flight options to Asia are often favourable for price, cheaper than flying direct, which is another great reason why PATA is keen to continue to work with and support middle east partners” continued Barr.
PATA’s newest member, Black Diamond, recently joined the association specifically to benefit from PATA’s events and networking opportunities on behalf of their client, Qatar Tourism.
Travel agents were given the chance to win big on the night too, with amazing prize giveaways from luxury hotel stays to champagne and lots more including:
- 3 nights at Raffles The Palm Dubai in a Club Ocean Room
- 3 nights at Dusit Thani Maldives
- 2 nights at dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar
- Hamper from Baglioni Maldives
- Goody bag from NH Collection The Palm Dubai
- Goody bag from Heritance AARAH, Maldives
- Bottle of Champagne from LD Sales & Marketing
After such a successful event, PATA looks forward to welcoming more Middle East members to join the association and attend future events.
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