The next PATA Destination Marketing Forum (PDMF) is set to take place in Pattaya, Thailand, from November 27 to 29, PATA CEO Mario Hardy announced at the conclusion of this year’s edition in Khon Kaen.
PDMF 2019 will be hosted by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) with the support of Pattaya City.
All parties agreed that the event will contribute to the city’s maturity as a MICE destination.
Said Hardy: “With plans for the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Pattaya is looking to reimagine itself as an international MICE City. Our aim for the event is to help understand their challenges and opportunities in reaching these goals.”
During PDMF 2018, Sutham Phetchgeat, deputy secretary of Pattaya City, said: “Pattaya City is going to become a regional, national and international MICE City. Special emphasis is placed on environment, security, infrastructure, and up-to-date means of mass communication.”
Supawan Teerarat, TCEB senior vice president – strategic business development & innovation, stated: “The event, which will serve as a driving force for international MICE events in Thailand, contributes to implementing the government’s policy of stimulating and developing the regional economy.”
She described Pattaya City as having “strong potential and readiness to host international conventions to world-class standards”.
“The event will contribute greatly to raising visibility and awareness of Pattaya City and other regional MICE cities as international MICE destinations.”
In addition to enhancing the city’s MICE status, Srisuda Wanaphinyosak, TAT deputy governor for international marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Americas), said that the selection of Pattaya as the next year PATA Destination Marketing Forum venue is an opportunity to position it as a high-end destination with its convenient accessibility, new luxury accommodations and activities.
“Also, it supports the TAT Hub and Hook Strategy, with Pattaya as the region’s leading travel hub and hook to lesser known destinations in the East, such as Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat and eastern islands through tourism activities, fruits & foods, as well as, local experiences,” she added.
Taweebhong Wichaidit, acting director general of DASTA stated that the team has been working with local stakeholders in Pattaya for several years to gain their participation in learning, thinking, planning, implementing, and obtaining tourism benefits equally to ensure sustainable tourism management.
“Pattaya has become one of our proud destinations for sustainable tourism management based on Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) which help repositioning Pattaya towards a Greenovative city with facilities for Tourism for All,” he said.
