08/04/2003

Peter de Jong, President & CEO, PATA

In the current climate of war, economic slowdown and now SARS, one would expect nothing but pessimism to rule the Travel & Tourism industry, especially in the Far East. However, the opposite is actually the case.

In a statement previewing the upcoming 3rd Global Travel & Tourism Summit in May, Peter de Jong, CEO, PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) said that the opportunities presented by the emerging economies of China and India are phenomenal and should be the industry's 'bread and butter' for the next two decades.

"In Asia, we have a great deal of intra-regional travellers who are set to venture further a field in the very near future. Because the populations of India and China are so huge, a modest percentage growth in international travel could have a significant impact on the rest of the world - and if managed correctly, will become our bread and butter business for the next decade or two."

Peter de Jong continued:

"In the session I will be moderating at the 3rd Global Travel & Tourism Summit, we will discuss the emerging markets and will focus our attention on what destinations and businesses will have to do to win a slice of the action."

The breakout, scheduled for 10.30 am on Friday May 16, will examine the characteristics of the emerging traveller and will examine the implications for the whole of the supply chain in terms of social impact, training and education.

Panellists who will respond to questions and contribute their opinions include:

Ron Stringfellow, Executive Chairman, Southern Sun
Trevor de Vries, Deputy Managing Director, Mondial Assistance SA
RK Krishna Kumar, Managing Director, Taj Group of Hotels
Peter de Jong, concluded:
"I am surprised that so many non-Asians don't seem interested in this potentially huge market. I am confident that by the end of the breakout session everyone will really appreciate this fantastic opportunity and what they will need to do to take advantage of it."

The 3rd Global Travel & Tourism Summit
The 3rd Global Travel & Tourism Summit is being organised by the World Travel & Tourism Council and will take place from 15 to 17 May in Vilamoura, Portugal.

The event will be attended by top level company executives and government officials from around the world, and other people involved in the Travel & Tourism industry at the most senior level.

The Summit's main objectives are to help the Travel & Tourism industry to come together to rebuild confidence in the face of war, terrorism, disease and economic slowdown, to turn challenges in to opportunities, to build a vision of 'New Tourism' and initiate a strategy to achieve it.

Other confirmed speakers include Neil Armstrong, the astronaut, the President and Prime Minister of Portugal (Jorge Sampaio and José Manuel Durão Barroso), the Chairmen of American Express (Ken Chenault), Continental Airlines (Gordon Bethune), Qatar Airways (Akbar Al Baker), Iberia (Xabier de Irala), Six Continents (Sir Ian Prosser), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Barry Sternlicht), TUI (Michael Frenzel), Chairman & CEO of Marriott International (Bill Marriott) and over 30 more top executives of companies of similar stature.

Travel & Tourism is the world's biggest industry, accounting for nearly 200 million jobs, and over 10 per cent of world GDP, more than US$3,500 billion. More information on the summit, including biographies of the moderator and panellists of the Emerging Economies breakout, can be found at www.globaltraveltourism.com, where it is also possible to book on line.

For background information on the WTTC, please go to www.wttc.org.

For more information, please contact us at enquiries@wttc.org.

A picture of Peter de Jong can be found on the Summit web site at: www.globaltraveltourism.com/site/breakout1_4.html#2