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PATA reveals speaker line-up for annual summit

PATA reveals speaker line-up for annual summit Sri Lanka will host the PATA summit later this year

Influential tourism experts, innovators and international thought leaders are set to explore future travel and tourism trends at the PATA Annual Summit 2017 in Negombo, Sri Lanka.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association has gathered a diverse and dynamic line up of speakers and panellists to share their insights and knowledge at the one-day conference that forms an integral element at this year’s summit.

The event will be hosted by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and takes place from May 18th-21st at the Jetwing Blue Hotel.

Under the theme Disruption. Innovation. Transformation: The Future of Tourism, the event also features a half-day UNWTO/PATA ministerial debate where industry leaders and government representatives discuss The Shift to Recognised Sustainability Leadership and The Sharing Economy in Travel & Tourism.

“We are excited to assemble such an impressive line-up of speakers for the PATA summit.

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“These speakers represent companies that have been in the forefront of disrupting, innovating and transforming the global travel and tourism industry,” said PATA chief executive, Mario Hardy.

“This is the perfect opportunity for all industry stakeholders to stay abreast of the rapid changes that are taking place in today’s ever evolving landscape.”

Confirmed speakers for the event include Andrew Chan, founder of ACI HR Solutions; Daiana Beitler, Asia regional director of Microsoft Philanthropies; Erick Stephens, chief technology officer-APAC, Microsoft; Hiran Cooray, chairman, Jetwing Hotels; and Jeremy Jauncey, founder, Beautiful Destinations.

Also set to take the platform are Rafat Ali, founder, Skift; Taleb Rifai, secretary general, United Nations World Tourism Organisation; Thao Nguyen, head of strategic partnerships, APAC, Airbnb; and Vijay Poonoosamy, vice president, international affairs, Etihad Airways.

Registered delegates for the conference also receive complimentary access to the PATA/UNWTO ministerial debate on Saturday, May 20th.