PATA’s travel forum scheduled in September

THE Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter will hold the fourth edition of its annual Pinoy Chikka Travel Forum on Sept. 19, 1 p.m., at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center. Based on its yearly average attendance of approximately 3,000, Pinoy Chikka is the biggest travel forum hosted locally and will once again feature a lineup of experts from various sectors of the Tourism Industry.

Matthew Zatto, manager, Destination Marketing for Southeast Asia, of Trip Advisor, will discuss “Tourism In The Age of Technology.” Artist, food writer, chef and TV host Claude Tayag will expound on “Culinary Tourism,” while Gabby Roxas, marketing director of Google Philippines, will share with the audience “How Google Powers Up Tourism.”

PATA, the biggest travel organization in the world, was founded in Hawaii in 1951 and counts over 40,000 members from governments, destinations, transport, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, educational institutions, financial and consultancy services, and media. Its mission is to enhance, encourage and support the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific. The Philippine Chapter helps translate these global objectives into action in the local travel and hospitality industry.

Tickets – which include a Certificate of Attendance and a raffle stub – may be purchased from the PATA Secretariat at 459-5200 local 524. Students’ tickets are also available at a discount and may be purchased through 527-8251 local 173.