Expo to generate RM100 million revenue
KUALA LUMPUR: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) and the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) are expecting the Pata Travel Mart 2018 to generate an income of RM100 million.
The event will be held at Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Langkawi for three days from Sept 12.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi said the impact would be felt six months to a year after the event.
“We will look forward to the tourism business next year and 2020, not only for Langkawi but all over Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak,” he said at a press conference at the Malaysia Tourism Centre here yesterday.
He said the event was a onestop platform for business-tobusiness sessions between sellers and hosted buyers.
“A total of 198 international organisations will participate as buyers, including (those from) India, Thailand, China, Singapore, Canada, South Korea and Germany,” said Mohammaddin, who added that this was the third time Malaysia was hosting the event.
“Sixty seven representatives from all over Malaysia will take part in the event.
“A total of 73 international and local reporters will cover it.”
Initially, he said, the plan was to have 40 participating countries but, due to overwhelming response, 2,500 delegates from 60 countries would be taking part.
The event will include the Pata Gold Awards 2018, which recognises travellers and tourism destinations in the Asia Pacific region, on Sept 14.
Present were Lada chief executive officer Datuk Azizan Noordin and Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (promotion) Datuk Seri Khani Daud.