The next PATA Youth Symposium, with the theme ‘Inspiring Tourism Leaders of Tomorrow’, will take place on the first day of PATA Travel Mart 2018 on Wednesday, September 12 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) in Langkawi, Malaysia.
Organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Human Capital Development Committee, the Symposium is generously hosted by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and the Alumni Association of UiTM Students’ Representative Council (PIMPIN) in collaboration with the PATA Malaysia Chapter, Tourism Malaysia and Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark.
“The PATA Youth Symposium highlights the Association’s commitment to the next generation of young tourism professionals and our dedication to enhancing the knowledge and skills of students seeking careers in the travel and tourism industry”, said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “We are extremely grateful to LADA, PIMPIN, the PATA Malaysia Chapter, Tourism Malaysia and the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark for their support for both the event and the development of tomorrow’s tourism leaders.”
Dato’ Haji Azizan Bin Noordin, Chief Executive Officer of the Langkawi Development Authority and Vice Chairman at PATA, added, “Youth is not just tomorrow’s leaders, they are the future of the industry. For them to lead a better world, we must first inspire them to be better than ourselves and be a better human. The PATA Youth Symposium provides the platform for current leaders to inspire and guide our future generations. The PATA Youth Symposium in Langkawi is the best platform due to our multiracial youths as well as being one of Asia’s top eco-island destinations.”
Saiful Azhar Shaharun, President of PIMPIN, added, “The best way to foresee the future is by creating it. Hence, it is our utmost duty to leave a better world for our legacy — the youth of today. The PATA Youth Symposium will be an effective platform to instill both leadership and future thinking within our young leaders. Join us to celebrate this symposium of the future and create a better tomorrow, together.”
The Youth Symposium programme was developed with guidance from Dr. Markus Schuckert, Chairman of the PATA Human Capital Development Committee and Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel & Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Dr. Markus Schuckert said, “It’s a pleasure and an honour to be hosted by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and the Alumni Association of UiTM Students’ Representative Council (PIMPIN) in collaboration with colleagues from the PATA Malaysia Chapter, Tourism Malaysia and Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. With this PATA Youth Symposium and together with our partners, we are excited to deliver an insightful and mind opening event, empowering the student participants to plan and execute their successful careers in the global tourism industry. Our guests from PATA Travel Mart and the World Tourism Forum Lucerne will share their insights and contribute to this interactive sharing together with the next generation of tourism industry professionals. Together, we will inspire the tourism leaders of tomorrow.”
Confirmed speakers at the Youth Symposium include Dato Haji Azizan Noordin; Mr. Dmitri Cooray, Manager Operations – Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka; Ms JC Wong, PATA Young Tourism Professional Ambassador; Ms Kartini Ariffin, Co-Founder of Dbilique, Malaysia; Dr. Mario Hardy; Dr Markus Schuckert; Prof Martin Barth, CEO – World Tourism Forum Lucerne; YB Tuan Muhammad Bakhtiar bin Wan Chik, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia; Dr Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Executive Dean – Faculty of Hospitality, Food and Leisure Management, Taylor’s University and President – ASEAN Tourism Research Association (ATRA), and Ms. Rika Jean François, Commissioner ITB Corporate Social Responsibility, Germany. In addition, Mr Tunku Nashrul Bin Tunku Abaidah, News Presenter and Broadcast Journalist, Media Prima Berhad, Malaysia, will be the Master of Ceremony for the event.
The symposium includes presentations on ‘Inspiring Stories: Bringing Concepts to Reality’, ‘Inspiring Connections: Linking Interests for Success in the Tourism Industry’, ‘Inspiring Global Experiences for Success in the Tourism Industry’, and ‘The PATA D.N.A. – Empowering You for Your Future’ as well as a panel discussion on ‘Inspiring Leadership: Groom and Grow into an Industry Leadership Role?’. The event also features an interactive roundtable discussion on ‘What inspires you to contribute toward a successful tourism industry?’.
