The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) is spearheading a series of ambitious training events targeting over 1,000 travel agents in the UK and Ireland. These initiatives aim to revitalise the booking processes within the UK and Irish markets.
- Pata’s collaboration with Travel Uni enhances agent education through state-of-the-art programmes, including Virtual Vacations covering Thailand, Bali, Mauritius, and Vietnam.
- The upcoming roadshows in March will provide agents with fast-paced networking opportunities, fostering connections with numerous suppliers from the Pata region.
- Travel agents are set to benefit from both virtual and in-person engagements, with incentives ranging from luxury stays to various vouchers.
- Betsie Barr, Pata’s UK & Ireland marketing manager, emphasises the unprecedented level of trade engagement and the introduction of new suppliers into the events.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) is initiating a robust programme of training events, aiming to reach over 1,000 travel agents within the UK and Ireland. The core objective of these events is to energise the travel industry’s booking dynamics in these regions through comprehensive educational sessions. By partnering with Travel Uni, Pata is set to enhance the educational provision for its agent members, thereby increasing their proficiency and expertise in promoting key destinations.
This ambitious programme is underscored by the continuation of the Virtual Vacations initiative, which is slated to resume shortly. This programme offers travel agents a guided online exploration of prime attractions, hotels, and tours in Thailand, Bali, Mauritius, and Vietnam. Agents are thus afforded the opportunity to deepen their understanding of these destinations, enabling them to offer informed recommendations to clients.
Further complementing these offerings are the roadshows scheduled for March in major UK cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow. These events are designed to facilitate swift networking interactions between agents and over ten key suppliers from the Pata region through structured, timed appointments. This format not only allows agents to engage with a diverse range of suppliers but also broadens their knowledge base through firsthand interactions.
Agents participating in these events can look forward to a hybrid experience that combines virtual and in-person engagement. Roadshow attendees will also have the chance to win luxury hotel stays and other prizes, enhancing the appeal of these events. The provision of such incentives is anticipated to fuel heightened participation and interest, thereby expanding agents’ networks and resources.
Betsie Barr, who is at the helm of marketing and events for Pata UK & Ireland, articulates the strategic expansion of these training events. She highlights the infusion of new suppliers into the programmes and the increasing strength of trade engagement, which she attributes to the dynamic mix of virtual and physical encounters designed to maximise outreach and impact.
Pata’s comprehensive training initiatives underscore a strategic push to enhance agent engagement and expertise, aiming to reshape the travel trade landscape.
