The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will organise and manage PROFIT in the Pacific 2006 in Vanuatu. PROFIT in the Pacific 2006 has received the support of ProInvest-CDE, a programme of the European Union that promotes investment in the Pacific.

To take place at the Le Lagon Resort, Pt. Vila, November 29-December 1, PROFIT in the Pacific 2006 will feature one-to-one meetings between tourism operators and those interested in exploring opportunities in the Pacific.

The event will also feature a conference programme addressing the most significant issues affecting tourism growth in the Pacific, including co-operation, branding, sustainability, access and competitiveness.

PATA is the lead organiser in a partnership that includes the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), the Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, the Federation of International Youth Travel Organisations (FITYO), the Fiji Visitors Bureau, the Kiribati Visitors Bureau, the Palau Visitors Authority, the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, and the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX).

PATA Vice President-Development Mr Peter Semone said: “PATA is the perfect organisation to act as lead agency for PROFIT in the Pacific 2006. The Association has long experience in providing platforms for partnerships in all sectors of travel and tourism throughout Asia Pacific.”

He added: “The encouragement and support we received from PATA members in the Pacific helped us put together a strong submission for ProInvest’s consideration. We expect that PROFIT will develop into the most important annual event for tourism in the Pacific.”

ProInvest-CDE Sector Coordinator Mr Sid Boubekeur said: “PROFIT in the Pacific 2006 is a key business-to-business meeting for players in the tourism sector. For three days it will bring together project promoters from the Pacific and potential partners from Europe and the region. Investment agencies, development banks and authorities will take part to ensure the participants get maximum results. High-level experts will also be involved, either as keynote speakers or as participants in workshops.”

PROFIT in the Pacific is modelled on tourism partnership meetings in the Caribbean, which have been organised by the Caribbean Hotel Association with ProInvest funding over several years.

Sydney-based PATA Regional Director-Pacific Mr Chris Flynn said: “After noting the success of the concept in the Caribbean, I am excited about PATA’s leading involvement in PROFIT in the Pacific and the benefits the event will bring to the region.”

Mr Flynn, who attended the inaugural PROFIT in the Pacific 2005 in Fiji, added: “Last year’s successful event provided clear strategic pointers for organising and managing the follow-up event in 2006 and beyond.”

ProInvest-CDE Match Making Coordinator Mr Renaud Guillonnet said: “PROFIT in the Pacific 2006 provides opportunities for initiating direct talks with selected potential partners; partnering with finance houses and their intermediaries; learning what political, economic, social and technological trends are affecting market demand in the Pacific; and growing networks through meeting influential leaders from the Pacific region and its markets.”

PROFIT stands for “Partnership, Roles and Opportunities For Investment in Tourism”. Last year’s event Web site www.profitpacific.com will soon be updated with this year’s programme, as well as the broader range of organisations committed to supporting PROFIT in the Pacific 2006.
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