All set for PATA Annual Summit 2017 next month in Negombo

From left: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Director General Malraj Kiriella, PATA Sri Lanka Chapter Chairman Hussain Jayah, Tourism Development, Land and Christian Affairs Ministry Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa, Tourism Development, Land and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Managing Director Sutheash Balasubramaniam Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will be holding the PATA Annual Summit 2017 in Sri Lanka next month, under the theme ‘Disruption, Innovation, Transformation: The Future of Tourism’.
“I would like to congratulate and thank profusely on behalf of PATA, the dynamism of the minister and his team in securing and winning the bid to hold the summit in Sri Lanka,” PATA Sri Lanka Chapter Chairman Hussain Jayah said at a media briefing yesterday. He noted that the biggest advantage of the summit is the publicity and promotional activity created for Sri Lanka just by holding the event in the island.

“So many entities are involved. There are 95 government bodies, states and cities around the world who are members of PATA. In addition to that, there are 27 airlines and cruises involved as well. Further, there are hundreds of travel related bodies involved with PATA,” he further added.
Tourism Development, Land and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga noted that some of the leading global and local tourism figures will deliberate on key issues relevant to the tourism industry at the summit.
“There are problems that come across daily all over the world and these discussions will come up with solutions and ideas to meet these situations,” he added.
The four-day event, held from May 18-21 at Jetwing Blue, Negombo, will mainly highlight issues related to sustainability, sharing economy, while disruptive innovation, marketing and research innovation, youth engaged in disruptive tourism, poverty and migration will also be discussed.
Thirty four countries will be participating at the PATA Annual Summit 2017, which includes some of Sri Lanka’s key tourism sourcing markets.