The response by trade professionals affirm PATA’s strong standing as a leader Association in its responsible leadership role in APAC travel and tourism.

PATA’s Member country since 1975, Nepal, is proud to hold the PATA Annual Summit. 

PASM 2023 wrapped up on a note of a highly successful Adventure Tourism Event organized by PATA and generously sponsored by the Nepal Tourism Board in collaboration with the PATA Nepal Chapter, local hotels and airlines. www.ntb.gov.np.

The 3-Day event was participated by 222 delegates belonging to 115 organizations from 22 nations around the world, including Australia, Azerbaijan, China (and Hong Kong SAR), Europe, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, UK, USA and local stakeholders.

19 Exhibitors, 32 Invited Buyers, speakers and Conference Delegates experienced a successful educative forum, and at the Mart, one-to-one business appointments steered in building new partnerships.

Among the 19 exhibitors: are Mountain Delights Tour & Exhibitions, Nepal Airlines, Summit Air P.Ltd., Buddha Air, Sri Lanka Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia, Langtang Ri Trekking, Hotel Majestic & Spa.

Inaugurated with a welcome address by PATA, delivered by moderator Paul Pruangkarn (Chief of Staff) – Master of ceremonies and Peter Semone (Chairman, PATA), marked the conference’s official opening at the Annual Summit.

Andrew Staples, Regional Head for APAC Policy and Insights Economist Impact) was invited on the floor to deliver a briefing on an estimated 2.2% global economic growth. Asia is expected to deliver 70% of all global economic growth, led by India, China, Japan and the Philippines.

The impact on tourism over the ongoing rising inflation, bank interest rates and fluctuation in currency exchange rates with a strong dollar. Panellists shared their research discussion on:

“Insights into the Future of Tourism in the Asia Pacific”.

Participants on the panel: Dr Anyu Liu (Assistant Professor: School of Hotel and Tourism Management Hong Kong Polytechnic University); Herbert Yum (Research Manager, Euromonitor International); Mayur Patel (Head of Asia OAG) and Sridhar Keppurengan. (Head of Cross border payments, India and South Asia-Visa). The panellists, each an expert in a related field, presented their research on influencing factors arising out of post-COVID, ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the impact on tourism with the rise in inflation.

Each presented their study on emerging destinations and changes in tourists’ habits of enjoying luxuries in life with an attitude of You Only Live Once.   Although there was a variation in a presentation by panellists, say on Emerging Destinations in APAC, according to Dr Liu, Nepal appears in Top Trend Inbound Market. Thanks to a dynamic marketing campaign by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) branding Nepal: “Heaven is myth – Nepal is real”. And the PATA feature destination Pokhara has a powerful slogan: “Pure as Paradise”.

However, another panellist had Bali on the Top Trend Inbound Markets list.

The inflation graph presented by Economist Impact showed a sharp decline in the inflation rate in 2023 compared with 2022. However, ground reality shows that inflation in 2023 globally, particularly in Asia and some parts of Europe, showed an all-time high cost of living.

After the tea break, the following sessions looked at:

“The Challenges and Opportunities of Responsible Tourism” and “How to drive Higher Value Tourism.”

Moderated by Carmen Roberts, the Travel Show presenter at BBC News, the panel is participated by Dr Dhananjay Regmi (CEO of NTB); Dr Abdulla Mausoom (Minister, Minister of Tourism, Maldives); Florian Sengstschmid (CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board) and Raki Phillips (CEO Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority). Participants discussed role models of destination promotion in adherence to a much-debated topic on Responsible Tourism, which focuses on Quality over Quantity, and how to tackle the hazard of over-tourism. Remedies highlighted diversification and development of places off the tourist track, raising the cost of entry (Komodo Island in Indonesia charges US dollars 300 per tourist, and Bhutan requires a visitor to spend a minimum amount per day).

My question to the panel is that the Industry stakeholders are not learning from case studies such as the Philippines that closed down Boracay for maintenance and nature to rebound. Industry workers may take a holiday during the shutdown period, saving the destination from natural and cultural degradation due to mass tourism.

After the networking lunch break hosted by Asian Development Bank (ADB), the afternoon sessions invited prominent speakers on the stage to address current tourism trends:

The Return of Chinese Travellers – Professor Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt (CEO of China Outbound Tourism Research Institute).

The Opportunity of the Indian Market – Sanjeet (Director DDP Publications Pvt. Ltd).

How can AI Drive Tourism Business: Matt Gibson (CEO, UpThink)

Sustainable Tourism Intervention in Nepal – Raj Gyawali (Tourism Strategy and Promotion Expert ADB) and Binita S. Khadka (Senior External Researcher ADB).

The session discussed initiatives ADB took towards creating sustainable tourism and how to achieve a win-win solution for local communities, heritage conservation and meaningful development of tourism infrastructure. Nature takes control of Nepal’s tourism. The monsoon season marks an end to the trekking season, and tourism is diverted to rich cultural and historical tourism.

Pre-COVID, Chinese travellers had a share of 10% in international visitor arrivals. A decline in Chinese travellers in the post-COVID revival of tourism has been a cause of concern, and destinations affected have been searching for new markets; however, Chinese travellers are expected to return by 2024.

Only 2% of Indians are travelling. Sanjeet emphasized the needs of Indian travellers and the scenario when global destinations will be visited by 10% of Indians.

AI has disrupted the traditional model of travel and tourism. In contrast, it has its pros and cons. While AI has eased travellers with access to information and planning and booking their trips at their fingertips, controversy looms over AI (Assistants) in contributing to killing the spirit of travel, taking away the human element to interact with people in faraway places. With the invention of AI Assistants, many will lose their jobs in the Industry.

The site of Adventure Mart is open for exhibitors and buyers to avail the opportunity to create business partnerships. Buyers are much satisfied with the Face to Face meeting opportunity with local tour operators, aviation and hotels and exhibitors contented to introduce their products, paying a very reasonable cost, from as low as US Dollars 1,000/ per booth in the lush garden premises of Hotel Pokhara Grande.

The evening is at leisure, and delegates are transferred to their respective hotels while guests at the Grande Pokhara venture to explore dining places in the lake town.

Day 2 of the Summit addressed core issues on the conference theme – Sustainability through Tourism: Managing Crises and Challenges in the Post-Pandemic World.

John Bailey moderated it with a briefing on the fragility of the tourism industry and the importance of immediate and effective crisis management and communication for a safe recovery and quick reopening of tourism. On the panel, the stage is all set for a discussion with participation by the distinguished Nandini Lahe Thapa (Senior Director PR and Publicity, NTB), Madubhani Parera (Director/ PR Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau) and Datuk Musa Hj. Yusof (Deputy DG Promotion – Malaysia Tourism).

Members of the panel resounded their roles during the COVID shutdown. NandiniThapa shared NTB initiatives on care and concern for visitors during the pandemic through effective communication on social media platforms. The efforts were well received globally, and NTB received WTM Award for Best Tourism Response during the COVID lockdown.

Sri Lanka has to her credit for being the first to open soon after the COVID lockdown. Datuk Yusof emphasized policy making to a fast and quick response and action to tackle natural disasters, outbreaks, and terror attacks.

Following the networking tea break, the next session was on:

Activating Partnerships with Communities for Sustainability.  

Moderated by Pavnesh Kumar (Sustainability and Social Responsibility Programme Head-PATA). A briefing on local communities playing a lead role in the making of thriving sustainable tourism destinations. The Panelists:

Lucky Chhetri (Founder/ Director 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking); Agnes Luz (Chief of Party – USAid Trade and Competitiveness Nepal) and Dr Chuwit Mitrchob (Deputy DG DASTA)

Lucky Chhetri accentuated Women’s empowerment and the role of women in the tourism business—the need to create mutually beneficial partnerships with localities in tourist destinations.

The next session is controversially interesting:

How to work with influencers on social media.

Moderator Shradha Shrestha (Manager: Tourism branding, Marketing and Promotion NTB)

We discussed much controversy around the term “influencers” with panellists Matt Gibson (CEO UpThink) and Monayac Karki (CEO/ Founder UpTrendy).

The current trend is that everyone using a mobile to create a story calls himself/ herself an influencer. The penal discussed the types, from copy-paste to genuine influencers. What platform to choose to attract this kind of audience? Matt discussed Tik-Toc to attract younger audiences and Facebook and Twitter for older viewers.

My question to the penal speakers is more relevant regarding who the audience is than how many followers. Direct mailing, Facebook and mobile groups may not have millions of “followers” but have a genuine appeal in creating content and reaching out to like-minded audiences.

After a delectable lunch, the conclusive session at the conference hall is packed with local students and young people at the PATA Youth Symposium – a PATA milestone event to encourage the youths towards an understanding of tourism business and becoming future leaders in tourism.

The final day is allocated to Destination Experience. Delegates assemble in the lobby of their respective hotels to embark at 9 AM on an exhilarating tour of Pokhara – Pure as Paradise. Highlights of the tour included Shiva Temple, World Peace Stupa, Davis Fall and a visit to Phewa Lake and boating on the lake. Time limitations did not allow us to visit the Gupeshwar Cave. Lunch was served at the lakeside restaurant.

PATA (HQ-Bangkok) Events team is proud to have organized efficient transfers from official hotels to the conference venue hotel: Pokhara Grande and Airport to the hotel, and hotel-to-airport transfers were seamlessly systematized.

www.pata.org, www.pata.org/events-calendar

Recommended Hotels – Pokhara

The hotels experienced first-hand adhered to the very gist of Nepalese hospitality that reflects in the saying: Atithi Devo Bhava, meaning “Guest is akin to god.”

– Pokhara Grande – A Complete 5-Star Hospitality Experience. Fully services MICE, events facility, and equipped with Spa and Fitness Center www.pokharagrande.com.

– The Pavilions Himalayas -The Farm. A unique experience. The future of hospitality with a Sustainable tourism approach. www.pavilionshotels.com/himalayas/thefarm/.

– The Pavilions Himalayas, Lake View – In the wilderness, eco-friendly glamping accommodation. Just a boat ride across the busy lakeside area. www.pavilionshotels.com/himalayas/lakeview/.

– Hotel Tulsi – Lakeside location in the bustling tourist area of Barahi Temple. Excellent hospitality. www.hoteltulsipokhara.com.

– Hotel Fewa Camp Hotel -.Lakefront deluxe rooms with superb views of the lake and mountains, run by friendly staff. FB Hotel Fewa.

– Raniban Retreat: Where eagles dare amidst “Queen of the Forest”. A palatable menu. The Resort will be upgraded this year with deluxe rooms, a pool and Spa. www.raniban.com.

– Hotel Siddhartha Garden Ayurveda, Peace Stupa – Farm-Home stay concept living with a local family at a great location with a full view of Phewa Lake.

Recommended Hotels – Kathmandu

The international arrival point in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley (including Bhaktapur and Patan), offers a variety of bed-downs from 5-star to heritage hotels and mid-range to budget hotels, including homestays.

–Hyatt Place, Kathmandu – Among the newest ultra-luxury hotels in the City of Culture, the hotel is highly recommended with ease of accessibility, great location, and a professional team that ensure an unforgettable experience. www.hyatt.com.

– Kathmandu Garden Home – An eco-hotel in the centre of the Thamel tourist area, the welcoming place offers a homely atmosphere. Extend your stay at the sister hotel: Suryachour Nature Retreat, on the outskirt of Kathmandu.

 

 

 

On-Site Reported By: Saifuddin Ismailji – Founder/ EIC: e-Travelers Club travel/ lifestyle update.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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