The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2020 (PDMF 2020) in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia from November 25 – 27. The announcement was made by the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture and Minister of Youth & Sports Sarawak, Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the conclusion of the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2019 (PDMF 2019) in Pattaya, Thailand.
PDMF 2020 is hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau.
During PDMF 2019, the Honourable Minister Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated, “We want the charm of Sarawak to be felt by all of you as Sarawak is rich in the aspects of Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festivals. Come visit us in Kuching next year and you will surely find more to discover. Indeed, you may come as a stranger to Sarawak, but leave as friends and family.”
“Sarawak has certainly been blessed with many natural wonders including our coastline and rivers, the Gunung Mulu UNESCO Heritage Site, the state’s continental shelf rich with oil and gas resources as well as our common fishing grounds with Vietnam and Thailand in the South China Sea. PDMF2020 would augur well towards Visit Sarawak Campaign as well as the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 by highlighting Sarawak and Malaysia on the global tourism map,” he added.
“It is an honour to be working with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and Minister of Youth & Sports Sarawak, the Sarawak Tourism Board, and the Sarawak Convention Bureau to organise the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2020 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, in advocating for the responsible and sustainable development of the travel and tourism industry in Sarawak,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “Aligning with PATA’s advocacy theme of tourism dispersal, this event will shine the spotlight on a side of Asia unlike anywhere else, as Sarawak offers an alternative for those seeking humble authenticity, far from the tourist-trap clichés. The Association remains a strong advocate on the issue of tourism dispersal to secondary and tertiary destination, as it allows people to see the true authentic beauty of the country and its people and at the same provide an economic boost to local communities who greatly benefit from tourism.”
The PATA Destination Marketing Forum (PDMF) gathers the top minds in destination travel for inspiring and insightful discussions on some of the major issues in marketing and managing tourism growth to lesser-known destinations. This action-packed annual event features two nonstop days of learning, discovery and networking. Alongside the one-day conference that brings together high-profile tourism professionals worldwide, the one-day Technical Tour offers an immersive experience of the host destination – a showcase of a lesser-known yet attractive corner of the world and an unprecedented opportunity to explore the region’s natural landscapes and cultural treasures.
The largest among the thirteen Malaysian states, Sarawak is located in northwest Borneo Island, bordered by Sabah (Malaysia), Kalimantan (Indonesia), and Brunei – a gateway to Borneo’s natural wonders and cultural riches. As the capital of Sarawak and one of the major hubs in East Malaysia, Kuching boasts a sophisticated mosaic of cultures, cuisines and cras, with a range of accommodation, restaurants and nightlife to suit most tastes and pockets.
Once a riverine trading post, Kuching’s city centre is well preserved and compact. Best explored by foot or by sampan along the Sarawak River, Kuching’s bustling streets and alleyways are lined with fascinating British Colonial style architecture, archaic Chinese temples and centuries-old shophouses, alongside artisanal shops, cafes and bars.
In advocating sustainable tourism and emerging destinations, PATA is pleased to offer complimentary registration to all interested parties.Picture: L/R: Iban Warrior; Mr. Hii Chang Kee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture; Ms. Runjuan Tongrut, Executive Director of the Americas Region, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT); Mr. Rattanachai Sulthidechanai, Tourism Counselor of Mayor of Pattaya City; Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture and Minister of Youth & Sports Sarawak; Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO, PATA; Ms. Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, Chief Executive Officer, Sarawak Tourism Board; Mr. Pattanachai Singhavara, Senior Manager, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB); Mr. Taweebhong Wichaidit, Director-General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), Thailand, and Iban Warrior. –
