Auckland set to welcome delegates to PGIC 2016

BANGKOK, September 22, 2016 – The PATA Global Insights Conference returns to Auckland on Friday, September 30 for more thought-provoking keynote presentations and panel discussions. This year’s conference is ‘Exploring Connectivity’ – a vital component for any destination seeking to extend its reach to influential international source markets.

“Our 2015 conference was heralded by many industry luminaries as the most eye-opening of its kind ever held in New Zealand. This year’s conference programme is designed to be even more beneficial to the industry because it takes insights to a higher, yet more practical level. Our impressive list of local and international guest speakers will be sharing their thoughts and experiences designed specifically to benefit NZ travel and tourism operators in line with Tourism 2025,” explains PATA Regional Director Chris Flynn.

“We’ll be getting down to brass tacks this year. Our speakers are some of the most knowledgeable in travel, tourism, aviation and research and they are taking time out to fly to Auckland because they respect New Zealand and what the nation’s tourism industry is doing here and on the global stage. They have a strong desire to help at a granular level. With our theme ‘Exploring Connectivity’ we plan to drill down into as many practical facets as we can, expanding the key concepts on this critical subject.”

The opening address at the PATA Global Insights Conference 2016 will be made by Norman Thompson whose career in the New Zealand tourism industry spans more than 45 years. The former deputy CEO of Air New Zealand is serving currently as Deputy Chairman of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and sits on a number of industry boards including Queenstown Airport, Tourism New Zealand and the Young Enterprise Trust board. He was the Chairman of both the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand (until October 31, 2013) and the Air New Zealand Environment Trust (until December 31, 2013).

Confirmed speakers for the event include Alistair McEwan (BBC Worldwide Asia); Simon Elsegood (CAPA); John O’Mahony (Deloitte Access Economics); Carolyn Childs (MyTravelResearch.com); Catherine Turnbull (Gres et Delebasi); Ian Lorigan (IATA); Julian Persaud (Airbnb); Mark Ferszt (Bartercard); Dr. Peter Cock (Newcastle Airport); Russell Young (Sojern); John Grant (JG Aviation Consultants), and Stu Stacy (ADARA).

The conference panel sessions will be moderated by BBC World News presenter Ben Thompson. Key topics to be analysed and discussed at the event include ‘Connecting Aviation – Dealing with Capacity and Growth’, ‘Connecting Regional Tourism – Thinking Beyond the Norm’, ‘Connecting Consumers – Seeing Things Differently’, and ‘Connecting Products & Experiences – Meeting the Shift of Consumer Mindsets’.

The conference takes place at SKYCITY Grand Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand.