BANGKOK (September 26, 2008) – One of the world’s leading tourism industry futurists, Dr. Ian Yeoman will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Tourism Strategy Forum, which is bringing together tourism marketers, planners and strategists from across the Asia Pacific region.
Dr. Yeoman is one of the few professional crystal ball gazers specializing in the global travel and tourism industry. He perfected his trade as the scenario planner for VisitScotland, where he established the process of futures thinking within the organization using a variety of economic modeling and strategy-planning techniques.
Taking place in Kunming, China (PRC) on October 30 – November 1, 2008, the PATA forum will focus on best practice in research and its application in the development and execution of tourism strategy. Over two full days, delegates will attend five informative and interactive workshops as well as a China-focused seminar.
Coming on the cusp of what is likely to be a difficult year for the industry in 2009, the Forum will arm tourism industry professionals with new concepts, ideas and techniques with which to face the toughest of operating environments.
According to Dr. Yeoman, “The global tourism industry faces many challenges in the short term and structural changes in the longer term. Imagine a world of sustainable cities, space travel, nations going to war over water supply, personal carbon travel allowances and scarcity of oil. These are just some of the changes that could occur between now and 2050.
Given the economic uncertainties in the financial markets or the exponential growth in technologies, our industry will need to focus more attention on sound business and scenario planning. The upcoming PATA Tourism Strategy Forum presents an excellent opportunity for us to highlight best practices and engage in open discussion with industry professionals.”
Dr. Yeoman is currently an associate professor of Tourism Management at Victoria University, New Zealand. His most recent book, Tomorrows Tourists: Scenarios and Trends, looks at where the global tourist will go on holiday in 2030 and what they will do.
He is a popular speaker at conferences and was described by the UK Sunday Times as the country’s leading contemporary futurologist. Dr. Yeoman has undertaken consultancy projects for a number of tourism bodies including the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Yeoman join us at the upcoming PATA Tourism Strategy Forum. His in-depth experience with the variety of issues in the tourism industry and their impact on growth trends will be greatly welcomed by delegates. We are extremely fortunate to have Ian onboard for this event,” said John Koldowski, director – Strategic Intelligence Center, PATA.
The international event is being planned in cooperation with the Yunnan Provincial Tourism Administration and the Kunming Municipal Tourism Administration. It is sponsored by leading tourism research firms, Insignia Research and DK Shifflet and Associates and formally endorsed by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mr. Oliver Martin
Associate Director – Strategic Intelligence Center
Pacific Asia Travel Association
Office: +66 2 658 2000 extension 129
Mobile: +66 81 9088638
Email: [email protected]
ABOUT PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA’s private- and public-sector members, it enhances the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the region.
PATA provides leadership to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 international airlines and cruise lines and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to more than 30 PATA chapters worldwide.
PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Center (SIC) offers unrivaled data and insights, including Asia Pacific inbound and outbound statistics, analyses and forecasts, as well as in-depth reports on strategic tourism markets. For more information, please visit www.PATA.org .
ABOUT THE PATA TOURISM STRATEGY FORUM 2008
Taking place in Kunming, China, October 30 – November 1, 2008, global strategic marketing and research experts will lead five informative workshops (and an optional China-focused seminar) and encourage participants to share and debate best practice. PATA will create an atmosphere of frank, open discussion and collaboration, where international and China-based delegates will be able to network with peers.
PATA is encouraging senior-level research, marketing and planning professionals from national, state/provincial and regional tourism boards, airlines, hotels, airports and attractions/operators to attend this important forum.
Although the event will be predominantly focused on the Asia Pacific context, global travel and tourism industry trends and issues will be discussed.
Registration for the Forum is FREE and space is limited. Full program and registration details are located on www.PATA.org/forum .
Registration closes October 3, 2008.
WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:
- Coming on the cusp of what is likely to be a difficult year for the industry in 2009, the Forum will arm tourism industry professionals with new concepts, ideas and techniques with which to face the toughest of operating environments.
- It is sponsored by leading tourism research firms, Insignia Research and DK Shifflet and Associates and formally endorsed by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC).
- The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry.
