Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) has represented the Maldives at Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart
The 42nd edition of the PATA Travel Mart opened Thursday in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan at the Korme Exhibition Center. Over 1000 delegates from 60 destinations are participating in the two-day event.
Officials from MATATO, together with representatives from two Maldivian travel companies, join more than 220 tour operators from 60 countries at the PATA Mart 2019, leading the destination stand for the Maldives at one of the major travel trade events in central Asia.
“Since the establishment of strategic partnership with PATA in 2016, MATATO has been taking part at this annual travel trade event. This year, two Maldivian companies are taking part with MATATO at the event,” a statement issued by MATATO read.
PATA Travel Mart is one of the premier international travel trade exhibitions in Asia Pacific, featuring unparalleled networking and contracting opportunities to help travel and tourism organisations access decision makers, meet new clients, expand their networks, establish new relationships, and consolidate existing business partnerships.
“We are excited to hold the first-ever PATA event in Central Asia in Kazakhstan. As the destination stands at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, it is the perfect venue to organise the association’s signature travel trade exhibition in a uniquely transformational city that blends various cultures and heritages of both the East and West,” PATA CEO Mario Hardy was quoted in the statement, as saying.
“The PATA Travel Mart Forums provide the perfect opportunity for participants to keep abreast of the latest trends and insights into the travel and tourism industry.”
In addition to over 10,000 pre-matched appointments between global sellers and qualified hosted international buyers, two forums took place on Wednesday where participants explored the power of technology and the evolution of content marketing.
PATA Mart 2019 is hosted by the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Sport and Kazakh Tourism, which seeks to position Nur-Sultan as a MICE hub for Central Asia.