Second Pacific Tourism Insights Conference to convene in Samoa in October 2018

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in partnership with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) will organise the second Pacific Tourism Insights Conference (PTIC) in Apia, Samoa on October 3, 2018.

The event, generously hosted by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), brings together a dynamic and unique line up of international thought leaders recognised for their success and expertise in innovative and disruptive thinking. “The first Pacific Tourism Insights Conference yielded a new era in the Pacific tourism conversation by exploring regional opportunities and challenges in line with global trends and influences. That event highlighted the need to for both the public and private sectors to embrace change and build a strong foundation that protects the Pacific’s unique culture and heritage,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “As we continue to emphasise this particular theme, this year’s event remains focussed on four primary issues: insights, development, expertise, and sustainability.”

Chris Cocker, chief executive officer – South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), said: “Tourism is becoming a rapidly evolving industry where technology and changing mindsets of travellers continuously influence the way host destinations are having to plan, develop, market and manage. In the Pacific Islands, understanding and keeping up with these changes can be challenging, however through platforms such as the Pacific Insights Tourism Conference, we as a region can learn more, assess, and adapt if necessary on key areas of tourism-related insights, development and expertise and importantly sustainability for our Pacific tourism industry.”

Sonja Hunter, Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) and SPTO chair, added: “This is the Information age and there is so much to collect, analyse, and understand in positioning our destinations to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The Pacific Insights Tourism Conference will provide more intelligence and dialogue to inspire action for beneficial results.”

Key topics to be analysed and discussed during this insightful event will contribute towards achieving the objectives of the Pacific Tourism Strategy 2015-2019, which provides the strategic framework to support the development of tourism in the Pacific.

The registration fee is US$100 and complimentary for local delegates and students. PATA and SPTO members will receive a 50 per cent discount under a designated promotional code, which can be attained by emailing: pacific@PATA. org.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit www.PATA.org/ PTIC.