The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) UK & Ireland has hosted its first dual destination training event.
Sixty agents attended the roadshow in London on September 12, where they received training from 11 suppliers from the Indian Ocean and, for the first time, the Middle East.
Half of the suppliers at the event were from the Middle East, and included Qatar Tourism, Ajman Tourism, NH Collection The Palm Dubai, Dusit Hotels & Resorts (dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar, Oman), and Canopy Marketing (representing: Niyama Private Island Maldives & Raffles The Palm Dubai).
Indian Ocean suppliers were: LD Sales & Marketing (representing: Uga Sri Lanka, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives & Mautourco Mauritius), Baglioni Maldives, Heritance AARAH Maldives, Angsana Velavaru, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru & Dhawa Ihuru, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives and Crossroads Maldives.
There were prize giveaways from these suppliers at the training event as well, including luxury hotel stays to champagne and hampers.
Betsie Barr, marketing and events manager for Pata UK & Ireland, said: “The addition of the Middle East in our training calendar is really exciting, enabling agents to network, learn and build connections with key suppliers with two key areas of the Pata region that complement each other so well. Our agent events continue to be a big hit and we’re really pleased with the quality of agents who attended last week.”
She added: “The Middle East is of course a standalone holiday destination in itself but also serves as a key gateway to Asia and Australia and is a key partner to the Indian Ocean too.
“The event enticed a lot of luxury hotels and further promoted the region as a luxury and honeymoon hot spot. Indirect flight options to Asia are often favourable for price, cheaper than flying direct, which is another great reason why Pata is keen to continue to work with and support middle east partners.”