PATA joins with BBC to launch Destination Insight Series

PATA joins with BBC to launch Destination Insight Series

BANGKOK, August 18, 2020 

Following the success of the PATA Dream to Travel Festival, the Pacific Asia Travel Association in partnership with BBC World News, is pleased to announce the launch of the PATA Destination Insight Series

This webinar series will take a close look at various destinations around the Asia Pacific region and beyond and examine how each destination is dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and their preparations towards recovery. The webinar consists of a high level fireside chat with a BBC presenter followed by a panel discussion that will help to provide a 360° local perspective of each destinations’ on-ground activities and preparations, from operations and logistics to marketing and communications.

“As the travel and tourism industry looks to navigate the challenges of the current COVID-19 pandemic towards recovery, the PATA Destination Insight Series allows us to gain a better and more comprehensive understanding of various destinations and how we can work together towards this goal,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “I am excited to be working with our good friend and partners at the BBC to organise these webinars. Hopefully by hearing from our fellow stakeholders around the region, we can have a better grasp of how we can work towards the robust and responsible renewal of the travel and tourism Industry.”

Terri Seow, Vice President Marketing & Insights, BBC Global News, said,“We are proud to partner with PATA on this project and play our part in this series of important discussions involving parties in the travel eco system. The travel industry is in a time of flux across the world at the moment and at BBC Global News we can offer leading global experts on marketing and branded content for the travel industry. With our in depth knowledge of not only our own audience but of consumers across the globe and locally in Asia, we are perfectly positioned to work with brands to guide them through their recovery from this crisis.”

The first episode of the series, organised on Wednesday, August 19 at 4PM ICT, will focus on Azerbaijan, a country with rich culture, ancient heritage, amazing nature and warm hospitality. Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board will sit down with Rajan Datar, Presenter, The Travel Show, for a one-on-one interview to discuss the current status of travel and tourism in Azerbaijan and their plans for recovery.

Following the chat with Mr Sengstschmid, Mr Datar, will then sit down with Bahruz Asgarov, Deputy CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board; Gunay Saglam, General Secretary, Azerbaijan Hotel Association; Chingiz Mursalov, COO, PASHA Travel, and Jamil Manizade, Director, Azerbaijan Airlines Passenger Air Company to examine the current state of tourism from a local stakeholder perspective.

For more information about the webinar or to register, visit http://www.pata.org/calendar/destination-insight-series-azerbaijan-with-pata-bbc.

Future episodes of the PATA Destination Insight Series will be organised on the second Thursday of every month, with the next one scheduled for September 10.