Tourism leaders back PATA Global Insights Conference in Auckland

BANGKOK – The highly-acclaimed PATA Global Insights Conference (PGIC) returns to Auckland, New Zealand on September 29, 2017. With the support of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and BBC World News, the event takes place once again at the SKYCITY Grand Hotel.

This year's event programme is boosted by the addition of a PATA/ATEED Tourism Leaders Forum on September 28 when the leading travel industry figures will discuss opportunities and challenges in a session moderated by BBC World News correspondent Hywel Griffith. Opening the batting at the Forum is former Test cricketer Martin Snedden who, in his capacity as TIA Chief Executive, masterminded the nation's Tourism 2025 Plan.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity for New Zealand's tourism community to share their views, ideas and perhaps their concerns with senior executives now shaping long-term strategy," says PATA Regional Director - Pacific Chris Flynn.

Those participating in the Tourism Leaders Forum include Chris Roberts, Chief Executive - Tourism Industry Aotearoa; Nick Hill, Chief Executive – ATEED; Stephen England-Hall, Chief Executive - Tourism New Zealand; Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO - PATA, and Cam Wallace, Chief Revenue Officer - Air New Zealand.

With the theme 'R U Future Ready', the PGIC conference programme on September 29 includes presentations from Boeing, TripAdvisor and Microsoft. The conference also features, for the first time, a panel discussion with 'tomorrow's tourism leaders'. Richard Aquino, Sarath Munasinghe, Sabrina Seeler and Xuan Bach Tran (Alex) from the newly-established PATA New Zealand Auckland University of Technology Student Chapter will share their views on how tourism will likely develop by 2025 and beyond.

"I am very excited about the programme we have developed for this year's event. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that delegates will be wowed by the depth of knowledge, insights and global reputation of our guest speakers and the sectors and disciplines that they represent," adds Chris Flynn. "The Tourism Leaders Forum brings together an important and influential group to address issues, threats, challenges and opportunities for New Zealand's tourism sector in line with the Tourism 2025 Plan and beyond. I'm sure that the views expressed at this Forum will influence the direction of our Global Insights Conference taking place during the following day."

Guest speakers include Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO - Pacific Asia Travel Association; Russell Craig, National Technology Officer - Microsoft, New Zealand; John Schubert, Managing Director - Marketing Asia Pacific and India, Boeing Commercial Airplanes; Jameson Wong, Director for Business Development APAC - ForwardKeys.com; Chris Monk, Head of Region (APAC) - Decoded; Sandra Chipchase, CEO - Destination NSW; Stu Stacy, Commercial Director - ADARA; Sarah Mathews, Head of Destination Marketing APAC - TripAdvisor and Maggie Wu, a well-known international travel Vlogger. They will be sharing insights on topics such as artificial intelligence, the future of airline capacity, cyber security and digital marketing.

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