The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter has announced it will be holding a series of Talks, “Pinoy Chikka,” to update those involved in Tourism and Hospitality with the latest trends and best practices in the industry.

The first talk of the series with theme “The New Face of Tourism” will be on July 29, 2 p.m., at the SMX Convention Center. It will be presented in cooperation with the Pata Philippines Student Chapter (LPU-Manila).

Well-respected experts in their respective fields of endeavor have confirmed as resource speakers at the event.  Former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor will talk on AgroTourism; celebrity doctor Vicki Belo will discuss Medical Tourism; and ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation’s Gina Lopez will expound on EcoTourism.

An open forum follows each talk to allow attendees to interact with the speakers and obtain a deeper grasp of the topic.

Pata, an international association founded in Hawaii in 1951, is now headquartered in Bangkok.  It counts among its members governments, destinations, transport, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, educational institutions, financial and consultancy services and media. Its mission is to enhance, encourage and support the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism in  Asia-Pacific.

The Philippine Chapter, as an extension of the association, helps translate these global objectives into action in the local travel and hospitality industry.

Entrance ticket is priced at P600, and includes snacks, certificate of attendance and a raffle stub for round-trip tickets to Kuala Lumpur or Seoul, courtesy of Air Asia Zest.  Delta Airlines also helped make this event possible.

Students pay only P300 upon presentation of a valid school ID.  Tickets are available at PATA Secretariat.

Call  PATA at 4595200 local 516 or LPU-Manila at 4042040.