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In this Issue:
PTM, WTC Offer Seller Discounts
ACTION: Contact PATA for More Information
Smart Alliances Broaden Opportunities
What Smart Buyers Want
Seller ACTION: Contact PATA's Mam
Galaxy Becomes First PTM Partner
Smart Mart Puts the ‘Fun' in Functions
PATA Board to Meet in Bangkok
Travel to the Unseen and Beyond
Great Air Deals to Bangkok
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Golden opportunities aplenty at PATA Travel Mart 2004,
September 22-24 |
PTM, WTC Offer Seller
Discounts
PATA and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) are offering
discounts to sellers who attend PATA Travel Mart 2004 (PTM04) in Bangkok,
September 22-24, and ASTA's World Travel Congress (WTC) in Hong Kong,
September 28-October 3. Suppliers exhibiting at both shows will receive a
20% discount off total space rates and are eligible to use special
shipping arrangements between Bangkok and Hong Kong. PATA members
exhibiting at WTC will have a special section and the opportunity to speak
to individual travel agents.
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ACTION: Contact PATA for More Information
For further information on any of the items below, or to register for PATA
Travel Mart 2004 (PTM04), please contact:
Note: Register for PTM04 before June 30 to be included in the Advance
Guide and Show Directory.
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Smart Alliances Broaden Opportunities
PATA is working with other travel-related organisations to attract a wider
variety of quality buyers to PTM04.
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ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) -- ASTA will hold its World
Travel Congress (WTC) in Hong Kong, September 28-October 3, four days
after PTM04 ends. PATA and ASTA are offering special discounts to buyers
and sellers who attend both events.
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Brunei Darusalem -- Royal Brunei, Tourism Brunei and PATA have agreed to
host a 15-member European buyer delegation on a 4D/3N familiarisation
trip to Brunei after they attend PTM04 in Bangkok.
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PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) -- PADI will build
an even bigger dive pavilion at PTM04 than they had at PTM03. PATA and
PADI will also work more closely together to identify and invite
high-quality dive buyers.
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PATA and Travel Trade Report will invite 12 trade visitors from
Bangkok to visit PTM04 on Wednesday, September 22. They will attend the
PATA Thailand Chapter luncheon, walk around the hall for three hours,
then conclude their visit with drinks during the social networking hour.
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TTG Russia -- PATA's relationship with TTG Russia bore fruit last
year when nine Russian buyers travelled to PTM03. This year, because
Thailand is Russia's top outbound destination, PATA and TTG Russia
are confident that many more will come to PTM04.
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What Smart Buyers Want
PATA asked PTM04 registered buyers about their customers, travel trends
and the types of products they will be looking for at the Mart:
 Mr.
Paul Graham of Silverbird Travel in the UK said his customers are
"professionals, 30-55 years old, who do not like to be ‘pre-packaged'".
Mr. Graham said his customers enjoy talking to Silverbird staff members
who have been to the places they are interested in. On travel trends in
the UK, he said: "There is absolutely no pattern any more, we can be very
busy one day and very quiet the next, for no apparent reason. People are
definitely booking later, which could be due to continuing world
uncertainty … fuelled by the industry continuing to reward the late booker
with discounted airfares, hotels, cruises … Perhaps we should reward the
early booker more. That's the customer we want." At the top of Mr.
Graham's PTM04 wish list are suppliers of river cruises and operators of
small luxury hotels.
 According
to Ms. Anju Desai of Jetair Tours in India, Indian travellers are FITs,
GITs and corporates.
 FITs
are aged 25-45, professional, dual income families with two children. In
the upper-middle income bracket, FITs are fond of food, shopping, nightlife and
water sports and enjoy simple luxuries during travel. They are likely to
stay for about a week in minimum three-star accommodation close to
shopping areas.
GITs
are large groups of family and friends. High-income industrialists and
professionals, who want security when travelling with their families, GITs
need everything pre-arranged and paid in India prior to departure. They
normally take the all-inclusive packaged tours.
Incentive
and conference customers are big corporates, who normally stay about three
nights in a minimum four-star hotel. All meals, sightseeing and transfers
are included, with a gala dinner and ceremony function on one day.
Ms. Desai thinks that FITs and incentives are out-growing the GIT market,
and that tailored packages, niches, cruises, school tours and sports and
events travel are more in demand. Therefore, she will be keen to speak
with representatives of niche products, including health and medical
packages; new properties with high room inventories; new cities and
destinations that would add value to packages; and new sights. Ms. Desai
is also interested in talking with DMCs, event management companies and
even suppliers of information technology and software |
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Seller ACTION: Contact PATA's Mam
 If
you need a copy of the seller registration form and/or other information, please
send PATA Manager-Event, Ms. Puangthip "Mam" Chotipantawanon, an e-mail
at ptm@PATA.org, or click the button
below.
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Galaxy Becomes First PTM Partner
Galaxy Distribution has become the first organisation to sign up as a PTM
Partner. Galaxy will cosponsor the PTM04 Network Lounge, which will be a
welcome oasis of rest and relaxation in the middle of the show floor. Be
sure to drop into the Network Lounge in between business appointments and
meet the friendly representatives of Galaxy Distribution.
PATA invites four more organisations to cosponsor the
PTM04 Network Lounge with Galaxy. In addition, PATA is offering a host of
other sponsorship opportunities, both big and small, such as delegate
items, social functions, media centre and more. For further information,
please contact PATA Managing Director-Events, Ms. Sheila Leong, who will
provide full details on how you can become a PTM Partner. Tel: (66-2)
658-2000 ext. 106. Fax: (66-2) 658-2010. E-mail:
ptm@PATA.org.
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Smart
Mart Puts the ‘Fun' in Functions
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Amazing Welcome: The
Tourism Authority of Thailand promises a memorable welcoming evening on
Tuesday, September 21, 1900-2200. Expect the best of Thailand's
world-renowned cuisine and colourful entertainment.
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Outstanding Lunches:
By popular demand, PATA is putting together three luncheon workshops on
select outbound source markets. This is a fantastic opportunity for
sellers to get the "good oil" on important source markets. Buyers are
more than welcome to register. Priced at only US$50 per person,
including lunch, the workshops are limited to the first 80 PTM04
delegates who register. Be quick!
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PTM04 Luncheon Workshop
1: All You Need to Know About CHINA Outbound; Wednesday, September 22,
1200-1330
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PTM04 Luncheon Workshop
2: All You Need to Know About INDIA Outbound; Thursday, September 23,
1230-1400
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PTM04 Luncheon Workshop
3: All You Need to Know About MIDDLE EAST Outbound; Friday, September
24, 1230-1400
PATA will release further details on these luncheon workshops and how
you can register by the end of May.
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Thai Classic: PATA
Thailand Chapter will host a lunch for PTM04 buyer delegates on
Wednesday, September 22, 1200-1330. This invitation-only event
represents a great opportunity for buyers to share a meal and exchange
cards with key Thai travel industry players from the PATA Thailand
Chapter.
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Meet and Mingle:
PTM04's social networking hours, September 22 and 23, 1700-1800, are a
great opportunity to relax over pre-dinner drinks and "talk shop" with
new and old friends. Meet and mingle with PTM04 buyer, seller and media
delegates.
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Rock the Clock: TTG
Asia will host one of its famous late-night shindigs at the Shangri-La
on Wednesday, September 22, 2200-0000. All PTM04 buyer, seller and media
delegates are invited.
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Truly Malaysia:
Tourism Malaysia will host PTM05 in Kuala Lumpur, so they will be keen
to impress delegates at PTM04. Prepare yourself for a great evening on
Friday, September 24, 1900-2200.
Lunches, dinners and late
night functions are subject to sponsorship from PATA-member organisations.
Prospective sponsors, please contact PATA Managing Director-Events, Ms.
Sheila Leong. Tel: (66-2) 658-2000 ext. 106. Fax: (66-2) 658-2010. E-mail:
ptm@PATA.org.
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PATA Board to Meet in Bangkok
When PTM04 shuts down on September 24, the next round of PATA Board of Directors and
Committee Meetings will open up. From September 24-26, elected
representatives of PATA's diverse membership will convene at the JW
Marriott Hotel, Bangkok, to further develop the Association's strategic
agenda. For further information, please contact PATA Director-Board and
Foundation Relations, Ms. Ratana Poopitakchatkaew. Tel: (66-2) 658-2000
ext. 102. Fax: (66-2) 658-2010. E-mail:
patabkk@PATA.org.
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Travel to the Unseen and
Beyond
 As low-cost carriers begin flying in Asia Pacific, there has never been a
better time to check out the many new products in the Kingdom of Thailand
and its neighbours. PTM04 host, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT),
and its private-sector partners have packaged a series of post-Mart tours
and one pre-Mart tour that offer more than a peek at "Unseen Thailand".
From a 2D1N pre-Mart cruise along the Chao Phrya river, to an 8D7N tour of
Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, there are plenty of options. Follow the
link to
www.PATA.org for more information about these tours.
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Great Air Deals to Bangkok
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Thai Airways -- PTM04 Official Carrier
50% off normal economy, business and first class fares for registered
delegates and accompanying persons. Please contact your nearest THAI
booking office. (Reference code: TG04092229) |
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China Airlines -- PTM04 Supporting Carrier
50% off IATA rates on F class (booking code "E") or C class (booking
code "O") and 75% off IATA rate on Y/YE class (booking code "S"), with
waiver of embargo. Please contact your nearest China Airlines branch
office. (Approval code: TPE/FRT/252/04) |
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Japan Airlines -- PTM04 Supporting Carrier
50% off normal business and economy class fares for registered
delegates. For reservations, please e-mail
japandesk@jal.com. Your nearest
JAL office will accept payment and issue tickets. |
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Singapore Airlines -- PTM04 Supporting Carrier
Lowest applicable nett fare on economy or business class travel for
registered delegates. Purchase tickets from your nearest SIA ticketing
office. (Show proof of PTM04 registration) |
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