Astana, also known as the ‘Singapore of the steppe’, will host The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart in September 2019.
The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC, the key organization in the tourism industry effectively promoting the tourist brand of Kazakhstan and contributing to attracting investments to the industry.
“We are excited to hold the first-ever PATA event in Central Asia in the Republic of Kazakhstan. As the destination stands at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, it is the perfect venue to organise the Association’s signature travel trade exhibition in a uniquely transformational city that blends various cultures and heritages of both the East and West,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy. “We look forward to working with the host in showcasing this truly unique destination.”
Yerlan Kozhagapanov, Vice Minister of Culture and Sport of The Republic of Kazakhstan said that “the country was honoured to be the bid winner” and expressed gratefulness for the opportunity to host PATA Travel Mart 2019. “We are positioning Astana as a MICE hub for Central Asia and looking forward to welcoming PATA members, hosted buyers and visitors at PATA Travel Mart 2019,” he said.
For the uninformed, Kazakhstan is the heart of Eurasia, located simultaneously in two parts of the world – Europe and Asia. It is at the junction of several of the world’s largest civilizations and borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the Russian Federation.
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the country received a total of over 7.7 million total visitors in 2017.
The country boasts of a unique geography with a rich and diverse landscape, which includes numerous lakes, lowlands, deserts and valleys framed by mountains in the east and southeast. The central Asian country is home to over 6,000 species of plants, 172 species of mammals and 500 species of birds, among others.
Important to note for the travel trade community: Special discounts are available for sellers located within Central Asia, while early bird discounts are available for those registering before December 31, 2018.
