The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be holding its annual PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart (AT&RTCM 2016) in Chiang Rai next year.

The conference and travel mart will be taking place at the Dusit Island Resort in the historic northern city of Chiang Rai, Thailand from February 17-19, 2016 under the theme “Creating Experiences, Sharing Opportunities”.

The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2016 is a three-day event that brings together tourism professionals in the adventure travel and responsible tourism sectors, to discuss opportunities for promoting environmental protection and social sustainability.

The event brings together the public and private sectors to address issues facing the adventure travel, responsible and sustainable tourism sectors.

“PATA is excited to have the opportunity to showcase the historic northern city of Chiang Rai, Thailand. The city has so much to offer today's travellers wishing to experience natural beauty, indigenous culture, and rich heritage,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy.

“The choice of the destination reflects the growing importance of dispersing tourists to emerging destinations, an issue the Association has been actively promoting through such activities as the PATA CEO Challenge 2015. This event is the perfect opportunity for travel trade professionals to learn first hand about this fast growing tourist destination.”

Sugree Sithivanich, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, Tourism Authority of Thailand added,

“TAT has been encouraging tourism that promotes the environment and contributes to social and cultural betterment. It is in line with the “balanced philosophy” of tourism, which ensures that economic benefits of tourism go hand-in-hand with environmental and cultural preservation.

“Chiang Rai is an ideal destination for the Conference & Mart. In addition to being a wonderful destination in its own right, it also lies at the heart of the Golden Triangle region where the Thai border meets with those of Myanmar and Lao PDR. So visitors will be able to get a three-in-one package by being able to visit all three destinations for the cost of one.”

The former capital of the great Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Rai is a fascinating province filled with cultural and natural wonders. Located in northern Thailand, it is a land of outstanding natural beauty, where tourists can escape the crowds, visit remote hill tribes and spot exotic wildlife.

Chiang Rai now competes with Chiang Mai as a major tourist attraction and is fast becoming a popular escape for today's tourists. Its attractions range from ruins of ancient settlements and Buddhist shrines to magnificent mountain scenery and hill tribe villages and for those interested in the great outdoors, travellers can take part in jungle trekking or mountain hiking. Chiang Rai is also a centre for community development projects, helping rural villagers develop their attractions without adversely affecting their natural and cultural assets.

The Conference and Mart offers a tremendous platform for sellers and buyers share new opportunities with tourism professionals from around the world.

For more information or to register for the event as a seller, buyer, conference or media delegate, please visit www.PATA.org/ATRTCM-2016 or email ATRTCM@PATA.org.

-ENDS-

Media Contact

Maevadi Rosenfeldt
Email: maevadi@thailand.net.ai
Phone: +61 9247 7549

About the Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sydney office has been in operation for over 20 years and is funded by the Government of Thailand. TAT Sydney operates as a marketing, public relations and administration branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Head Office in Bangkok.

The Sydney office is responsible for the regional area of Australia and New Zealand. The main objective of the Tourism Authority of Thailand is to promote the country of Thailand as a holiday, convention and business destination to Australians.

Website: www.thailand.net.au

About PATA

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, comprising 87 government, state and city tourism bodies, 25 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, 59 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond.

Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 43 local PATA chapters worldwide. The chapters organise travel industry training and business development events. Their grassroots activism underpins PATA's membership of the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC), which includes ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO and the WTTC.

The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members' desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA's Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing, Sydney,and London. Visit www.PATA.org.