The upcoming PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2018, under the theme “Adventure in a New Era”, will take place from February 21 to 23 in Al Ain in the UAE. The three-day event comprises a one-day travel trade mart and one-day conference, along with other value-added activities that facilitate networking and relationship building.
During the one-day travel trade mart, adventure product buyers and sellers from across the world will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face through pre-matched appointments, while at the one-day conference delegates will explore the nuances, trends and dynamics of one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors. The adventure travel market has been growing rapidly in the last decade as tourists worldwide seek new adventures and experiences. In 2015, the adventure tourism industry generated revenue of $7.88 trillion. Furthermore, the definition of tourism is changing rapidly. The beachside vacation or regular sight-seeing holidays are losing its market to adventurous activities such as skydiving, surfing, rock or mountain climbing, caving, and deep-sea diving that involve high risk. There is also a direct relationship between adventure travel and responsible tourism. For travellers, adventure travel offers a unique experience by allowing them to interact with local communities and immerse themselves in the natural environment. For destinations, adventure travel provides them that opportunity to highlight their natural and cultural values, and in turn promote the preservation of the environment and the responsible and sustainable development of travel and tourism. These issues that are aligned with the core values of the Association in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry.