Over 450 International Delegates Attended The PATA Annual Summit 2024

Yeah‼️ SiennyLovesDrawing 👩🏻 is excited to share about her recent official media attendance to The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit 2024 which graciously hosted by the Macao 🇲🇴 Government Tourism Office & co-hosted 🤝 by SJM Resorts, S.A. 🗓️ 15 to 18 May 2024 at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau 🏨🛌🏻🛋️

It brought together international thought leaders, industry shapers, senior decision-makers & passionate tourism industry players  who are professionally engaged in driving tourism to, from & within the Asia Pacific 🌏 region

PATA CEO Mr Noor Ahmad Hamid 👨🏽‍💼said, “On behalf of PATA, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude 🙏🏻💖 to our host, the Macao 🇲🇴 Government Tourism Office, co-host SJM, all our partners & sponsors & the dedicated delegates who have contributed to making the PATA Annual Summit 2024 (PAS 2024) a resounding success. Your unwavering support & collaboration 🤝🏻 have made this event truly meaningful for PATA & the broader travel & tourism community. Thank you 🙏🏻 for your commitment to advancing our shared goals 🎯”

“Reimagining Tourism” extends beyond convening tourism experts to deliberate & enact future industry strategies. It involves PATA & its key stakeholders collaboratively 🤝🏻 reshaping the Association, advancing together towards shared goals 🎯

Macao 🇲🇴 Government Tourism Office Director, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes 👩🏻‍💼said, “The PAS 2024 was a great 👍🏻 success, gathering delegates from across the Asia Pacific 🌏 & beyond to Reimagining Tourism & continue to work together to build a vibrant yet responsible development of the tourism industry in the region. Macao 🇲🇴 was very pleased to welcome 🤗 another PATA flagship event after several years & to have the opportunity to showcase participants an update & firsthand experience on how we are reimagining tourism in our city, towards more diversification, as we develop into a world center of tourism & leisure.”

Macao’s visitor arrivals in the 1️⃣st 4️⃣ months surpassed 11.4 million, an 83% recovery rate compared to 2019. The government is focused on leveraging the integrated tourism & leisure industry to diversify the economy through the 1️⃣➕4️⃣ strategy, emphasising areas such as health & wellness, modern financial services, innovative technology, exhibitions & conventions, commerce & trade, culture & sports

Ms. Daisy Ho 🙋🏻‍♀️, Managing Director of SJM Resorts S.A. said, “PATA is an old friend of Macau 🇲🇴 & bringing this Summit back is like bringing family home 🏡 She remarked, “Reflecting on the past few years, from the bustling travel peaks of 2019 to the devastating lows of the pandemic, the 1️⃣ key takeaway is the interconnectedness of our world 🌍 We have seen firsthand that we are not just 1️⃣ industry; we are one global community, sharing 1️⃣ planet. We often speak of the 3Ps: People, Planet, & Prosperity, as fundamental pillars of sustainability. However, here in Macau 🇲🇴, we are guided by 3️⃣ additional Ps that are just as vital: Public-Private-Partnership. These have remained at the forefront of SJM’s agenda from the outset & hosting this PAS 2024 is 1️⃣ fine example of this joint effort.”

Guided by 3Ps: People, Planet & Prosperity, SJM Resorts provided over 410K hours of career development training, invested USD 23M on green 💚 procurements in the last year alone & promoted a more even distribution of tourist flow & drove economic benefits to local SMEs

@siennylovesdraw

Congratulations 👏🏻🎉 the grand opening remarks of #PATA #PAS2024 Dialogue📍Grand Lisboa Palace #Macao #cultural #liondance @livesimpleforward

♬ So Much Happiness – Lux-Inspira

PATA Chair Peter Semone 👨🏼‍💼said, “Today’s theme, Reimagining Tourism, involves a fundamental shift in how we conceive, plan & engage in tourism activities. It goes beyond simply improving existing models & instead seeks to transform the entire tourism industry to make it more sustainable, responsible & inclusive. This could include incorporating principles of ecotourism & sustainable development, promoting cultural exchange & understanding, leveraging technology for more immersive & accessible experiences, & prioritising the well-being of local communities & environments over sheer economic gains.”

The 1️⃣st step in reimagining tourism is to foster Collaboration & Partnerships 🤝🏻: Collaboration between governments, businesses, NGOs, local communities & other stakeholders is essential for effective tourism management. Partnerships can facilitate knowledge sharing, resource pooling & coordinated action towards common goals

The key benefits gained from her recent media & conference delegate attendance to this PAS 2024 include;

• Engage with PATA members at its Annual General Meeting, the PATA Executive Board & Board meetings, absolutely a good 👍🏻 platform for PATA’s public & private sector members & partners
• Support the Youth Symposium which offers PATA members to be guest speakers & share their knowledge & expertise, mentoring youth members & gaining insights into the perspectives of future leaders in tourism
• Mingle at the PATA Chapter Congress for networking, idea sharing & discussions on opportunities within local & regional areas
• Gain good 👍🏻 knowledge & insights from the tourism industry experts at this global conference

There were 450 delegates from nearly 200 organisations across 29 destinations

Under the theme “Reimagining Tourism”, this 4️⃣-day extensive PAS 2024 consists of;

• PATA Executive Board & Board Meetings & PATA Annual General Meeting (PATA Member Only)
• PATA Youth Symposium
• Main conference, plenary & breakout sessions
• Destination educational experience & complimentary half day tour

On the 1️⃣st day, the summit commenced with the PATA Executive Board & PATA Board Meetings, & the PATA Life Members Get-Together, alongside the PATA Power of Networking session & the inaugural Education Roundtable session

The PATA-WTCF China 🇨🇳 Dialogue, supported 🙌🏻 by the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) & sponsored by Dragon Trail International, was also held on the morning of the 2️⃣nd day. The Dialogue served as a platform for industry experts to delve deep into discussions of the challenges & opportunities that can be found in the ever-evolving sector of China 🇨🇳 Inbound Tourism

https://x.com/SiennyLovesDraw/status/1790943151525659106

The day concluded with PAS 2024 Welcome Dinner 🍽️ Reception & PATA Awards 🏆 Presentation, which saw attendees in their best national costumes for the Cultural Attire Competition @ PAS2024, in celebration of diversity, cross-cultural understanding & the rich heritage of each destination

The main conference throughout has featured the official opening ceremony followed by sessions covering various topics under the theme ‘Reimagining Tourism’, including:

• State of the World Economy ~ Asia’s 🌏 economy: Asia is the fastest-growing market, expected to contribute around 60% of global GDP growth 📈 & the expansion of the middle class in the region will spur consumption. The key issue for the region will be technology: the expansion of techo-nationalism, AI adoption & decarbonisation of economy
• Marketing & Branding in Asia Pacific Tourism ~ The newer generation of travellers are looking for authentic, in-depth travels. Destinations need to cater to smaller travel groups, the digital marketing campaigns need to dig deeper into destinations’ offerings & they need to come from ordinary people & not just KOLs, public sector needs to encourage locals to interact with tourists
• Reimagining Your Business Model ~ Opportunities in the 🆕 age require business owners to expand their horizons across industry borders, thereby fostering flexibility & accommodating ample space for growth within their business blueprint
• Future-Proofing Travel & Tourism Policies ~ The future of tourism: resiliency with local communities involved, borderless & frictionless travel, visa-🆓 or schengen style visa, interactive AI that help visitors overcome discomfort in unfamiliar destinations & sustainable tourism that does not compromise the experience
• In Conversation with Pansy Ho ~ Macao’s 🇲🇴 advancement is shifting beyond infrastructure to focus on software & human capacity development, elevating sectors such as MICE, entertainment, arts, culture & wellness. Enhancing & adapting strategies periodically is crucial to ensure Macao remains a desirable destination where the ‘Tourism Plus’ concept thrives
• Key Travel & Tourism Trends to Watch ~ Data reveals that 65% of Asian consumers seek curated experiences, highlighting the importance of customisation. Additionally, eco-adventurer travellers are on the rise within the Asia-Pacific region, with the highest representation in China 🇨🇳, Thailand 🇹🇭 & Vietnam 🇻🇳 Furthermore, 23% of Asia-Pacific travellers prefer purpose-driven brands that prioritise people, planet & profit, while 54% trust certifications such as eco-friendly or environmentally conscious labels
• Where Are We Heading❓⁉️ ~ By the end of 2024, the global travel & tourism GDP is projected to reach $11 trillion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The industry is forecasted to experience an annual growth 📈 rate of 3.7% over the next decade, outpacing the global economy’s expected annual growth 📈 rate of 2.4%. Tourism enterprises are seen to make changes to their business models & strategies, broadening their market reach to areas such as sports & festivals
• Hotel Industry Trends ~ Hotel performance in the last 12 months has surpassed historical levels, generating substantial revenue that offsets cost increases in areas such as labour & marketing. Consequently, hotels 🏨 are rapidly becoming an attractive asset class for investors. Moreover, the Asia Pacific 🌏 region is trending towards a dominance of branded hotels, with independent ones becoming rarer
• Air Travel Trends & Outlook in APAC ~ In the Asia Pacific 🌏 region, South Asia’s international arrivals have transitioned from recovery to growth 📈, with a 6️⃣% increase ⬆️ in Q1️⃣ of 2024. Similarly, destinations in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 & Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, have emerged as leaders in this trend towards growth. The driving force behind this surge includes the intra-regional source markets, notably Vietnam 🇻🇳 & India 🇮🇳
• Navigating the Skyline: Aviation’s Evolution in Asia Pacific ~ Asia Pacific region dominates with 7️⃣ out of the top 🔟 busiest international airline routes, led by Hong Kong SAR 🇭🇰 – Taipei 🇹🇼 Within the region, 9️⃣ out of the top 🔟 busiest domestic airline routes are also recorded, with Seoul’s 🇰🇷 Gimpo International Airport – Jeju taking the top spot
• Launch of Brand 🆕 PATA Report on Human Capital Development ~ The latest report by PATA & Pear Anderson reveals a significant disconnect between public & private tourism stakeholders, educational institutions & young talent. For instance, around 30% of tourism students believe their education adequately readies them for the industry, yet over 50% of private sector stakeholders find students unprepared for its demands
• Deep Dive into the Future of the Tourism Workforce ~ Well-designed training programmes for interns should align with the education curriculum to ensure that youths can apply what they learn on the job, rather than merely fulfilling roles that benefit the company. This approach not only enhances the interns’ educational experience but also ensures they gain practical skills that are directly relevant to their studies and future careers
• Gastronomy Tourism: Balancing Innovation with Local Preservation ~ Innovating traditional cuisine often involves incorporating 🆕 elements, like adding unusual ingredients or creating novel combinations to enhance flavour. Additionally, reimagining the presentation of dishes can breathe 🆕 life into traditional recipes
• Tourism Synergies to Diversify Economy ~ To successfully incorporate diverse sectors & diversify tourism in each destination, the government must take the lead in creating an integrated strategy. Private sectors from various industries can then contribute their unique expertise, fostering a multifaceted tourism sector
• The Future of Travel & Tourism ~ The travel industry is on its track to becoming a digital-1️⃣st landscape driven by AI and technology, facilitating everything from booking & authentication to fraud detection & personalised travel offers. Integration with these technologies is essential for providing seamless, secure & personalised travel experiences
• The breakout sessions focused on Travel Technology, Educational Tourism, Night-time Economy & The Future of Travel Agents in the Age of AI

On the last 2️⃣ days of the PAS 2024, all delegates had the opportunity to participate in various destination experiences. Workshops on making traditional Portuguese & Macanese desserts, “Pastel de Nata & Genete” (Egg Tart & Caterpillar Cookie) & Portuguese Blue Tile “Azulejo” Painting were held on 17 May 2024 & all delegates were  able to choose to join tours organised by MGTO, whether it be Macao’s night skyline sightseeing or paying visits to Macao’s iconic sites & heritages. A tour of Hong Kong SAR 🇭🇰, offered by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, was also 1️⃣ of the provided options

@siennylovesdraw

It’s awesome welcome dinner reception at #PATA #PAS2024 📍Grand Lisboa Palace #Macao Blessed happy to be the media member here & enjoyed great 👍🏻 food served & networking ☺️😋💯👍🏻 Read more via blog link at bio #MYFoodie #internationalbuffet #buffet #grandlisboapalacehotelmacau

♬ Cartoon Music – Annanda Riyanti

The 3️⃣ offsite educational experience is only open to registered delegates & available ✅ on a 1️⃣st-come-1️⃣st-served basis

Do check out the full programme via 🌐 https://www.pata.org/pata-annual-summit-2024-full-programme

Experience 1️⃣ (3 hours & open for 30pax) ~ Portuguese & Macanese Dessert Workshop: “Pastel de Nata & Genete”

In the 11 elements selected by “The China 🇨🇳 Intangible Cultural Heritage Network” to be included in the “National Intangible Cultural Heritage List” Macanese Gastronomy (2021) is among 1️⃣ of them. Macao Institute for Tourism Studies has been listed as the protective entity of this Intangible Cultural Heritage

Portuguese egg tart 🥧: Its crispy, flaky crust holding a creamy custard center, blistered on top from the high heat of an oven. This delicacy was created before the 18th century by Catholic moks in the Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO Heritage Site today

Genetes: Simple buttery cornstarch cookies with airy powdery texture that melts into the mouth 👄 The Macanese’s genetes are often served in family gatherings during Christmas 🎄 time. Portuguese egg tarts 🥧 will be enjoyed by the end of the workshop & the Genetes can be packaged for participants as a Macanese momento to bring home 🏡

Experience 2️⃣ (2-3 hours & open for 30pax) ~ Chinese Calligraphy Workshop

It’s viewed as a supreme visual art form of self- expression & cultivation through the writing ✍🏼 of Chinese script using ink & brush 🖌️ It is the outward expression of the artist’s inner state demonstrated by the rhythm, movement & flow of each brush stroke. The gentle & rhythmic movement involved in the practice calms the mind & the focus required to create each brushstroke 🖌️ promotes mindfulness. Experienced calligrapher will demonstrate his/her calligraphy skill, explain & demonstrate how to hold the brush 🖌️, the order of each brushstroke, explain the meaning of each word & guide participants with templates of meaningful Chinese scripts (i.e. 澳門 Macao、福 Blessing、愛 Love、壽 Longevity、康 Health、美 Beauty、和 Harmonious、喜 Happiness、財 Wealth、吉 Auspicious、德 Virtue). Each participant should be able to receive coaching from the calligrapher, ample practice at the workshop & eventually complete ✅ his/her personal masterpiece as momento

Experience 3️⃣  (3 hours & open for 30pax) ~ Portuguese Blue Tile “Azulejo” Painting Workshop

Yes ✅, as an art lover, SiennyLovesDrawing has chosen to participate in this educational workshop. So, she has learnt that the word “Azulejo” is derived from the Arabic “az-zulayj” with meaning of “small polished stones”, with its manufacturing developed by Muslims ☪️🕌✅ in the Middle Ages

It’s a form of ceramic tile work that was later applied extensively by the Portuguese to decorate building walls, following geometric, floral & figurative motifs

Influenced by Portuguese culture, Portuguese Azulejo Tiles remain very popular & can be found on street signs, churches ⛪ & building walls in Macao 🇲🇴 The practice of this craft is also representative of the harmonious co-existence of Chinese & Portuguese cultures in Macao 🇲🇴 The transmission & continuity of this industry also reflects the multicultural dimension of the local community, being a good example of the diversity that exists in the decorative elements of the city’s urban spaces. Instructor will provide various stencils or for the more creative participants may opt to 🆓-hand their unique sketches & designs with guidance. The painted tile will serve as a keep-sake for years to treasure 😍💯

@siennylovesdraw

Amazing Portuguese Blue Tile “Azulejo” Painting Workshop 🇲🇴👩🏻‍🎨💙◻️😍👍🏻 Must try when you’re in Macao 🇲🇴 ~ Sustainable Tourism Read more via blog link at bio @livesimpleforward #PATAEvents #ExperienceMacaoUnlimited #澳娛綜合 #SJMResorts #GrandLisboaPalace #THEKARLLAGERFELD #THEKARLLAGERFELD澳門 #味賞 #澳門上葡京 #上葡京 #MYFoodie #internationalbuffet #buffet #grandlisboapalacehotelmacau

♬ Fantastic healing songs for yoga and meditation(1293762) – kotonaga

Additionally, this summit has showcased PATA’s latest initiatives & introduced 🆕 elements

During the Partnerships for Tomorrow session, 2️⃣ Memorandums of Understandings between PATA & the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) & between PATA & the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF) were signed ✍🏻 , honouring the bond 🤝🏻 between the organisations & strengthening the commitment to advancing responsible tourism for the years to come. Do read more from SiennyLovesDrawing’s earlier sharing via 🌐 https://siennylovesdrawing.wordpress.com/2024/05/17/sarawak-tourism-board-pata-signed-mou-to-advance-sustainability-in-sarawaks-tourism-industry/

https://x.com/siennylovesdraw/status/1791302118797967692

Furthermore, the PATA Kind Hearts initiative was launched during this summit. This is a 🆕 sustainability & social responsibility initiative named PATA Kind Hearts, underscores PATA’s commitment to advancing sustainable tourism development & positively impacting local communities in the destinations where the PATA’s events are hosted

Speakers, delegates & staff were encouraged to participate by bringing 1️⃣ or more children’s books 📚 in various languages & genres to be collected & donated to the libraries of Instituto Cultural de Macau (Macao Cultural Institute)(ICM)

Guess what❓⁉️

SiennyLovesDrawing has discussed & agreed with her little niece, then chosen 3️⃣ Chinese story books 📚 to donate for this great 👍🏻 initiative

She is proud that her little niece so generously sharing her books love to those in need, yeah‼️

Through this PATA Kind Hearts initiative, nearly 💯 children’s books were donated to libraries of ICM this PAS 2024. This book donations 📚 to ICM was made on stage during the closing ceremony on 17 May 2024, by PATA CEO Mr Noor Ahmad Hamid to Eric Fong, Vice Chairman, PATA Macau Chapter & Director of Marketing Department, Macau International Airport Co. Ltd. on behalf of ICM

According to PATA CEO Mr Noor Ahmad Hamid 👨🏽‍💼, “The PATA Kind Hearts initiative was created to spread joy & nurture a love ❤️ of literature among the children of Macao, China 🇨🇳 It reflects our dedication to community engagement & support, with an emphasis on the development & well-being of the younger generation.” He added, “The book donations 📚 are intended not only as educational resources but, most importantly, as symbols of collective kindness.”

Note 📌: Picture: L/R: Ricky Hoi, Deputy Director, MGTO; Suman Pandey, Secretary/Treasurer, PATA; Daisy Ho Managing Director; SJM Resorts S.A.; Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office; Peter Semone, Chair, PATA; Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA, and Eric Fong, Vice Chairman, PATA Macau Chapter at the Opening Ceremony of the PATA Annual Summit 2024 in Macao, China 🇲🇴🇨🇳 

This crowd sourcing initiative leveraged the PATA’s expansive network, including registered delegates, speakers, members, partners & chapters, uniting various stakeholders in a concerted effort to create positive changes

Children stand at the forefront of the PATA Kind Hearts initiative. Beyond the immediate joy of receiving a book 📕 , this project aims to instil a lasting affection for reading 📖 & learning, enhancing literacy skills & supporting their holistic development

By including books 📚 that cater to children with special needs, the initiative promotes inclusivity, ensuring every child feels seen, valued & supported

Together with offsetting PATA’s in-person events through supporting local carbon offset projects, this PATA Kind Hearts initiative is part of PATA’s efforts to foster sustainable development & make a tangible difference in the destinations that host PATA events

All PATA Annual Summit 2024 official photos album via 📸🌐 http://www.flickr.com/photos/patahq/collections/72157722836068650/

This summit was supported by China Dialogue partner, World Tourism Cities Federation & sponsor Dragon Trail International; VIP lunch Sponsor, BBC News; Coffee Cart Sponsor & Supporting Media Partner, South China Morning Post; Event Tech Partners, Cvent & the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB); Official Carrier, Air Macau; & Supporting Media Partners, Jacobs Media Group / Travel Weekly, Macao News, TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific, TravelIndex, Travel Press Korea, TravTalk India, TTG Asia, Travel & Tourism News Middle East (TTN) & TTR Weekly

#PAS2024 #PATAEvent #ExperienceMacaoUnlimited #SarawakMoretoDiscover #PATA #Kuching #Sarawak #Malaysia #tourism #travel #experience #sharing #macau #macaunightview #MacausOpenTopBusNightTour #asia #myexperience #activityreview #activity