PATA Hub City Forum – Bangkok

PATA, together with the PATA Thailand Chapter, invites you to the PATA HUB CITY FORUM - BANGKOK which  will be held on Monday 30^th January, from 12pm to 4pm at the Landmark Bangkok, Ballroom (7th floor).

The theme will be 2012: NAVIGATING THE HEADWINDS.  

It will be of interest to anyone who is involved in travel and tourism in Thailand, the Greater Mekong Subregional destinations, who are looking at maximizing the developments in transportation, manpower, hospitality and capacity building, as well as discuss future trends. 

Senior executives from organisations such as IATA, Visa, Asian Development Bank, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Airports of Thailand (AOT), Anatara Hotels, Agoda.com, and Accor are expected to be in attendance.

Program

PATA Hub City Forum – Bangkok

The Landmark Bangkok

January 30, 2012

1130-1200 Registration

1215 Guests sit down for luncheon; the first course is already on the table

1225-1230 Welcome Remarks

by PATA Thailand Chapter Chairman Bert van Walbeek

Introduction by PATA CEO Martin Craigs

1230-1250 2012: Navigating the Headwinds Speaker: Dr Piyasvasti Amranand, President, Thai Airways International

1250-1320 Second course is served Third course is served (coffee/tea)

1320-1325 Opening of Afternoon Session by Senior Director – Marketing and Membership Services Stu Lloyd - Introduction of Forum Moderator by Stu Lloyd - Introduction of Forum Speakers and Panelists by Joe Cummings

1325-1340 Thai Tourism Lesson Learnt, Challenges Ahead Speaker: Mr Suraphon Svestasreni, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand

1340-1355 Speaker: Mr Steven Schipani, Social Sector Specialist, Asian Development Bank Topic: Catalyzing Sustainable Tourism Investment in the Greater Mekong Subregion Steven will discuss how the Asian Development Bank and other development partners are supporting GMS governments and the private sector to develop and promote the Mekong as a single destination.

1355-1410 Speaker: Daw Kyi Kyi Aye, Tourism Consultant, Myanmar Tourism Board Topic: A Challenging Tourism Sector 2012 This presentation highlights the 26% growth in the tourist arrivals of 2011 as compared to 2010 and what challenges there are in 2012 in terms of shift in market, carrying capacity, service quality, facilitation of travel.

1410-1440 Panel Discussion Topics to be discussed: - Q&A from speakers’ presentation Development pipeline in Greater Mekong Sub Region Panelists: Mr Mason Florence, Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office Mr Peter Semone, Chief Technical Advisor, LANITH Mr Peter Meacock, Managing Director, LT Project Management

1440-1500 NETWORKING BREAK

1500-1515 Speaker: Mr Willem Niemeijer, CEO, Khiri Travel Topic: Changing World, Changing Expectations

1515-1530 Speaker: Mr Damien Pfirsch, Director Electronic Distribution, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas Topic: The new consumers – who are they and how do we connect with them? With consumer profiles changing as fast as internet connections speed in the region, there is no doubt that the last decade has seen the biggest change in our typical customer decision and booking processes. But how do we reach and influence them? What are the necessary strategic changes and some of the most successful tactics?

1530-1600 Panel Discussion Topics to be discussed: - Q&A from the speakers’ presentations - Impact of ASEAN Economic Cooperation (AEC) 2015 on manpower and capacity building Panelists: Mr Steven Schipani, Social Sector Specialist, Asian Development Bank Daw Kyi Kyi Aye, Tourism Consultant, Myanmar Tourism Board Dr John Barnes, Programme Director, Assumption University

1600-1610 Student Wrap up (Intern to share lessons learned from sessions) and Presentation of Certificates/Token to Speakers

1610-1615 Closing Remarks