POKHARA, JUNE 7

The enchanting city of Pokhara hosted the prestigious annual summit and adventure mart of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) this year, marking a momentous occasion for Nepalese tourism. This landmark event, being the first-ever PATA Summit hosted in Pokhara since the country's international membership in 1975, created ripples of excitement throughout the industry, according to the organizers.

Spanning from May 30 to June 2, the event served as a catalyst to gather illustrious personalities, influential stakeholders, and industry professionals, all driven by the common goal of reimagining the future of tourism. Productive discussions took center stage, aimed at forging a sustainable path forward while embracing the transformative power of digital innovation.

On the inaugural day of the event, the PATA Executive Board Meeting took center stage, featuring an enlightening discussion led by chairperson, Peter Semone, regarding PATA's future agenda.

Following that, a series of engaging sessions unfold, including the Chapter Congress (where member countries are affectionately referred to as chapters), the Government Bilateral Meeting, the PATA board meeting and an exclusive Government Meeting exclusively tailored for esteemed government members.

The day drew to a close with a magnificent welcome Dinner & PATA Awards Presentation, graciously hosted by the Nepal Tourism Board. Distinguished guests including the honorable Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, Minister of Tourism from Maldives, Peter Semone, Chairperson of PATA, Dr. Dhananjay Regmi, CEO of NTB, and the esteemed mayor of Pokhara, all shared their insightful remarks before the grand gala dinner commenced. Overflowing with gratitude, Suman Pandey, Secretary of PATA International, extended his sincere appreciation to his esteemed fellow board members, the Nepal Tourism Board, the Nepal government, and the Pokhara Municipality for their instrumental roles in organizing this extraordinary event. Their unwavering collaboration has paved a glorious path for Nepalese tourism to radiate its brilliance on the grand global stage. Adding an enchanting touch to the evening, guests were delighted by delightful cultural dance performances during the cocktail hour.

On a subsequent day, the Main Stage Conference featured a captivating keynote presentation by Andrew Staples. During his address, Staples expressed his belief that despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and surging inflation, the world will indeed recover. He highlighted the positive impact of China's reopening, particularly benefiting Asian economies with strong ties to its consumer sector. This development brings encouraging news for various economies, instilling optimism for a brighter future.

Following Staples' insightful presentation, a thought-provoking session on 'Challenges & Opportunities for a Responsible Tourism Industry' ensued. The distinguished panel comprised esteemed guests, including the honorable Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, the Minister of Tourism from Maldives, Dr. Dhananjay Regmi, CEO of NTB, Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board. The session was skillfully moderated by Carmen Roberts, the presenter of The Travel Show on BBC News. During the discussion, the panel shed light on the transformative shift destinations are making towards holistic and responsible tourism, transcending the boundaries of mere sustainability. Embracing regional and community tourism while being mindful of potential impacts emerged as a key focus. Additionally, the significance of all-inclusive experiences in promoting and supporting local businesses was emphasized, as these experiences cater to the rising demand from travelers seeking immersive authenticity.

The day continued with a series of captivating panel discussions that provided valuable insights into various aspects of the tourism industry. These included stimulating sessions on 'Insights into the Future of Tourism in the Asia Pacific,' 'Driving Higher Value Tourism,' 'The Return of Chinese Travelers,' 'The Opportunity of the Indian Market,' and 'Design, AI, and Organized Tours Driving Tourism Businesses.' In the afternoon that followed, the Travel Mart took place, offering attendees the opportunity to engage in 10 appointments with industry professionals and explore potential collaborations and business opportunities.

The third day of the event kicked off with a dynamic panel discussion focusing on 'Managing Crises and Challenges,' 'Activating Partnerships with Communities for Sustainability,' and 'Working with Influencers on Social Media.' Shradha Shrestha, Senior Manager at NTB, highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between genuine influencers and those seeking free-of-charge (FOC) benefits.

Following the panel discussion, the PATA Youth Symposium took center stage, enthusiastically welcomed by the Master of Ceremony, Nick, who serves as the youth ambassador to PATA. The symposium featured a roundtable discussion and presentations on stage, as well as a valuable mentorship session facilitated by industry experts.

During the youth symposium, the Travel Mart provided an exciting opportunity for attendees to engage in 14 appointments.

The final day of the event was a delightful and relaxing experience as participants had the opportunity to explore the captivating city of Pokhara. The day's activities included a visit to Phewa Lake for a peaceful boat ride, followed by a stop at Davis Falls and Gupeshwor Cave to witness their natural beauty. The journey continued with a visit to the serene Peace Stupa and the revered Shiva Temple. A lunch break at Lakeside provided a chance to savor local cuisine. The day concluded with participants being dropped off at the Official Hotel, cherishing the memories created during the event.

'The event brought together influential stakeholders, industry professionals, and illustrious personalities to reimagine the future of tourism. With productive discussions on sustainability and digital innovation, the summit set a sustainable path forward. Keynote presentations and engaging sessions explored challenges and opportunities, emphasizing responsible tourism and immersive experiences. The event concluded with participants exploring Pokhara's beauty, creating cherished memories. This landmark event showcased the collaborative efforts of the Nepal Tourism Board, the government, and the Pokhara Metropolitan City, amplifying the brilliance of Nepalese tourism on the global stage,' Pandey said.