Tuesday, May 21, 2024 The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) hosted the PATA Youth Symposium 2024, welcoming nearly 200 international and local youth, along with industry delegates from over 15 destinations. The event took place on May 16, 2024, during the PATA Annual Summit in Macao, China. The symposium was hosted by the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) and supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and SJM Resorts, S.
A. The symposium emphasized the development of the next generation of tourism professionals, featuring expert keynote speeches, a panel discussion, and roundtable sessions. This platform allowed youths to engage with industry leaders, share ideas, and learn about the latest trends in the tourism industry.
In his opening remarks, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid highlighted the challenge of bridging the gap between industry needs and academic preparation. He emphasized PATA’s commitment to human capital development, aiming to facilitate a smooth transition for young professionals into the tourism workforce. Prof.
Goh Kok Beng, Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management at MUST, echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to host the event. He stressed the importance of giving youth a platform to voice their visions for the future of travel. Andrew Staples from Economist Impact provided insights into the economic state of the travel industry, noting its steady recovery toward pre-pandemic levels.
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