The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced its first official virtual event which kicks off on 22 June and runs until 17 July. The Dream to Travel Festival has been created as a means for travel trade businesses across the world to connect in seamless fashion, network and conceptualise ways in which the industry can move forward in the post-pandemic world.
At the heart of the festival are the Dream to Travel Forums which are engaging two-hour sessions that will address the main issues and obstacles the industry face. Under the umbrella theme Partnerships for Tomorrow, each week will be geared towards a different subject, these being Trust, Courage, Wellbeing and Infinite Possibilities.
With Covid-19 having devastated the travel and tourism industry, a coordinated effort between all industry stakeholders is needed to rebuild a stronger and more sustainable sector. These sessions are one big step towards making this happen.
Another key section of the festival will be the Digital Showroom and Community Hub, a platform where travel suppliers and participants can meet, greet and network. This extensive section will have a directory of travel suppliers categorised by destination, tourism sector and market segment, and a list of all products available.
Get the latest festival updates, follow key exhibitors, listen to recordings and chat with other visitors or exhibitors via audio, text or video. There is an abundance of opportunities to make legit and lasting connections that can make a difference.
Social networking sessions will be set up via Zoom in which larger groups meeting at specified times will be broken down into smaller ‘breakout rooms’ where you can chat informally and even play games. Virtual coffee breaks, lunch clubs and happy hours are the perfect place to get to know your trade peers better while you take a break from the forum and market.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive selection of live experiences await, focusing on local culture, food, people and attractions, including cooking classes, live guided tours, tasting sessions, virtual museums and live music.
Rounding out the festival are a variety of games that include spectacular giveaways and prizes. Hosted on Zoom, here you can test your brain in a pub quiz with travel-related questions, play virtual bingo with up to 500 participants, or take part in the age-old but updated for the future game of I Sp,y using Gallery View mode on Zoom.
The festival will focus on a different region each week, PATA working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (June 22-26), Tourism Malaysia (June 29-July 3), the Nepal Tourism Board (July 6-10) and the Macao Government Tourism Office (July 13-17), to make this happen.
To find out more about the festival and how to participate check out this webinar video:
To find out more about the programme head to dreamtotravel.pata.org.
PATA Dream To Travel Festival
When 22 June-17 July
dreamtotravel.pata.org