In 2011 the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will celebrate 60 years of building tourism with a year-long campaign of events and activities.

Taking the theme ‘Building Tourism. Past. Present. Progressive’, the focal point of these celebratory activities will be the 60th Anniversary and Conference, 9-12 April, 2011 at the China World Hotel, Beijing.

Bringing together more than 1,000 delegates from Asia Pacific’s travel and tourism sector, this represents a unique opportunity for key decision-makers to discuss and debate some of the major issues shaping what is now the fastest growing tourism region in the world (PATA predicts international arrivals will hit 530 million by the year 2020).

The line-up of speakers and conference sessions will inspire delegates as they consider some of the new realities of the travel and tourism industry, including changing demographics, new technology, civil aviation, distribution challenges, as well as need the need to embrace environmentally responsible practices.

Six decades ago a group of enthusiastic tourism professionals sought to realise the vast, untapped, potential of Asia Pacific tourism. As PATA celebrates its 60th anniversary, we hope you can join us to rekindle that early passion and inspire us as we look forward to the next 60 years.