Latest tourism trends at PATA forum

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines chapter will host the fourth edition of its highly successful annual Pinoy Chikka Travel Forum on Sept. 19, 1 p.m. at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center.

Based on its yearly average attendance of approximately 3,000, Pinoy Chikka is the biggest travel forum hosted locally and will once again feature a stellar line-up of experts from various sectors of the tourism industry.

Matthew Zatto, manager, Destination Marketing for Southeast Asia, of Trip Advisor, will discuss “Tourism in the Age of Technology.” Artist, food writer, chef and TV host Claude Tayag will expound “Culinary Tourism,” while Gabby Roxas, marketing director of Google Philippines, will share with the audience “How Google Powers Up Tourism.”

PATA, the biggest travel organization in the world, was founded in Hawaii in 1951 and counts over 40,000 members from governments, destinations, transport, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, educational institutions, financial and consultancy services and media. Its mission is to enhance, encourage and support the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific. The Philippine chapter helps translate these global objectives into action in the local travel and hospitality industry.

Tickets for this high-impact annual tourism forum, co-presented by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, are affordably priced. They include a certificate of attendance and a raffle stub which could win valuable travel packages and hotel dinners. And are available at the PATA Secretariat, 4595200 local 524, c/o April Gayle Valencia. Students’ discounted tickets may be purchased through 5278251 local 173, c/o Guia Valerie Uson.