The 47th edition of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart has commenced in Bangkok, Thailand. Hosted by PATA headquarters, the “PATA Travel Mart 2024” has attracted over 900 delegates from around the world, including a delegation of 35 representatives from Nepal.
The mart is being held at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, with participation from 266 sellers and 191 buyers. The event was inaugurated by Bangkok Metropolitan Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, PATA International President Peter Simon, and representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Governor Sittipunt emphasized the need for international cooperation to advance the tourism sector and highlighted Thailand’s role in leading such efforts. He noted that the mart provides a unique opportunity for tourism professionals to gather in one place.
Nattaya Thaveephong, President of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, reiterated that Thailand remains a safe destination for tourism, and the increasing foreign investment in the sector is strengthening the country’s economy.
Peter Simon, President of PATA International, described the mart as an ideal platform for promoting tourism businesses by bringing together professionals from around the world.
Narendra Dev Bhatta, Secretary General of PATA Nepal, expressed confidence that the mart will support the promotion of Nepal’s tourism. He highlighted that the mart serves as a perfect venue for renewing business relationships and forging new ones, which will contribute to the growth of Nepal’s tourism sector and economy.
Himmat Puri, Managing Director of Goddess Nago Tours & Travels and a PATA committee member, noted that the significant participation of Nepali tourism professionals is expected to energize the tourism sector further.
The event features 18 private sector representatives from Nepal, including tour operators, airlines, travel agencies, and hotels. These representatives are showcasing Nepal’s tourist destinations, promoting packages, and engaging in marketing activities to boost tourism.
Suresh Singh Budal, Chief Executive Officer of PATA Nepal Chapter, expressed optimism that the involvement of 18 member organizations and private sector businesses from Nepal will enhance the country’s tourism promotion efforts. PATA has been consistently participating in such events since the inaugural mart in 1978, contributing to the promotion and expansion of Nepal’s tourism industry.
Amit Dhital, Market Manager of KJ Group, stressed the importance of effective public-private cooperation to attract more international tourists to Nepal and establish it as a prominent global tourism destination.
The event also features discussions on Nepal’s tourist destinations and the country’s ongoing efforts to develop tourism. Nrupesh Shrestha, Market Manager at Siddhartha Hospitality, emphasized that such international events play a crucial role in promoting Nepal and its tourism industry.
Indira Sajal, Senior Officer at Nepal Airlines, highlighted the crucial role of air travel in promoting tourism development. She noted that Nepal Airlines’ participation in the mart is a significant contribution to enhancing the country’s destination promotion.
Bangkok, a major commercial hub, is among the top choices for international travelers. Popular destinations in Thailand include Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi, and Chiang Mai. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, in 2023, the country welcomed 28.1 million foreign tourists, generating 82.2 billion Thai Baht in revenue during the first six months of 2024. The Thai government aims to attract 35 million tourists this year.
Thailand is a significant source of the Nepali market. According to Maniraj Lamichhane, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, 23,000 Nepali tourists visited Thailand in 2023, 25,578 Thai tourists visited Nepal, and 17,601 Thai tourists visited Nepal in the first half of 2024.
The Nepal Tourism Board’s Sustainable Tourism Livelihoods Project (STLRP), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has received the PATA Gold Award for the third consecutive year. The award was presented during a special ceremony at the PATA Gold Awards held in Bangkok. Dharma Raj Dawadi, National Project Manager for STLRP, received the award on behalf of the project. Dwadi noted that the continuous recognition by PATA reflects the project’s significant contributions to tourism and motivates further efforts.
The STLRP has been recognized for its work in community-based tourism, promoting gender empowerment, sustainability, social responsibility, and destination development. The project previously won the PATA Gold Award in 2022 and 2023.
