The Pacific Asia Travel Association, Taylor’s University (Division of Hospitality, Tourism&Culinary Arts), and the PATA Education and Training Committee will hold a full-day PATA Youth Tourism Forum on April 18 at Taylor’s University, Lakeside Campus in Kuala Lumpur. Registration is free to all participants.

Martin J. Craigs, PATA CEO said: “The commitment to Next Gen paradigm shifts will be strongly apparent at this year’s PATA Annual Conference during the PATA Youth Forum, as well as the Social Entrepreneurs’ Challenge. Tourism students, young PATA members, and education institutions will have great opportunities to network with industry leaders and get real experience in business environment. At the same time, tourism industry will be energized by new ideas injected by the Next Gen.”

Themed “Building the Business Beyond Profits, Creating Social and Environmental Value,” the one-day seminar will highlight working group sessions on Green Economy, Innovations in Events, Social Tourism, and Tourism Education. Speakers will be academic and tourism leaders including AR. Neethiahnanthan, Dean, Taylor’s University; Anthony Wong, Group Managing Director of Asian Overland Services Tours&Travel; Chris Flynn, PATA Regional Director – Pacific; Hiran Cooray, PATA Chairman; Mike Cannon, Managing Director of Sarawak Convention Bureau; Prof. Dr. Perry Hobson, Pro Vice Chancellor; and Peter Semone, Chief Technical Advisor of Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH).

AR. Neethiahnanthan, Dean, Taylor’s University, said: “With the growing importance of issues relating to the green economy, innovations in events, social tourism, and tourism education, the seminar is expected to provide a significant forum for all parties to come together and share.”

The seminar is scheduled to be held prior to the PATA Annual Conference at Taylor’s University on April 18, 2012, 0830-1800 hours. For further information and registration, please contact Ms. Cindy Lee at [email protected] , Web site: www.taylors.edu.my .

The PATA Annual Conference 2012 will be held at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 21-22, 2012. On April 19-20, PATA will also hold the PATA Annual General Meeting, the PATA Chapter Colloquium, the PATA Board&Category Committee meetings, the 2012 PATA Gold Awards luncheon, and PATA Foundation fund-raising activities, all at the same venue.

Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia, the 2012 PATA Annual Conference will bring together delegates from all areas of travel and tourism. The conference is shaping up as a great networking, insights, and Next Gen thought leadership forum that will deliver tangible benefits to all professionals in the Asia Pacific travel and tourism space.