Chiang Rai to Host Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference 2016

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CHIANG RAI – The PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2016 (AT&RTCM2016) will be hosted at the Dusit Island Resort from February 17-19, 2016.

The AT&RTCM 2016 will be a three-day niche event that brings together public and private sectors involved in adventure travel and responsible tourism to discuss new opportunities for promoting environmental protection and social sustainability within the industry.

The program comprises a one-day conference, followed by a one-day travel mart, and includes two complimentary half-day tours. The choice of the destination reflects the growing importance of dispersing tourists to emerging destinations, following successful events in Bhutan and Nepal in previous years.

Mr. Shannon Stowell, President, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), USA, will be delivering the Keynote Address on “Increasing our Adventure Tourism Competitiveness.” In his Keynote Address he will examine how destinations and companies can assess the market value and competitiveness of the adventure tourism sector, including market size and segmentation. He will delve into two indices that measure tourism competitiveness: the Adventure Travel Development Index and the World Economic Forum.

Other confirmed speakers include Hamish Keith, Co-Owner & Managing Director, Exo Travel Thailand; Mei Zhang, Founder, WildChina; Judy Karwacki, President, Small Planet Consulting & Jubilee Travel; John Roberts, Director of Conservation Activities, Anantara Resorts and Spas Worldwide; Willem Niemeijer, Founder & CEO, Khiri Group; Yin Myo Su, Chairperson, Inle Heritage Foundation; Ben Fleming, Marketing Manager, Tourism Authority of Thailand LA Office; Sarah Mathews, Head of Destination Marketing APAC, TripAdvisor; Ryan Bonnici, Marketing Director, Hubspot; Damien Del Porto, Director- Marketing, Khiri Group; Wouter Schalken, Tourism Component Manager, Samarth-Nepal Market Development Programme; Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Executive Director – Advertising and Public Relations Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand; Ajay Jain, Editor, Kunzum Travel Mag; and Ric Gazarian, Avid Traveller, Author, and Documentary Producer.

The former capital of the great Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Rai is a fascinating province filled with cultural and natural wonders. Located in northern Thailand, tourists can escape the crowds and visit remote hill tribes and spot exotic wildlife. Attractions range from ruins of ancient settlements and Buddhist shrines to magnificent mountain scenery and hill tribe villages. Chiang Rai is also a centre for community development projects, helping rural villagers develop their attractions without adversely affecting their natural and cultural assets.

Click here for the AT&RTCM2016 program for more details about the event.