FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Palau visits Phetchaburi for the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2024
Phetchaburi, Thailand
November 14-16, 2024
The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) recently returned from an enriching and inspiring trip to Cha-Am,
Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, where they attended the PATA Destination Marketing Forum (PDMF)
2024, held from November 12-14.The event welcomed over 370 delegates from 26 destinations
across Asia Pacific and beyond, including Australia; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; Chinese
Taipei; Gibraltar; Hong Kong (SAR); India; Indonesia; Japan; Lao PDR; Macao, China; Malaysia;
Nepal; New Zealand; Oman; Palau; Philippines; Singapore; South Africa; Spain; Sri Lanka; United
Kingdom; and USA. The forum, organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), brought
together tourism professionals from across the region to explore innovative strategies for promoting
secondary and tertiary destinations, leveraging cultural heritage, and fostering sustainable tourism
development.
The PVA team consisted of Ashley Yada, Board Member; Sharrise Ngiraked, Statistics
& Planning Dept. Manager; Kiruu Kanai, Digital Marketing Rep. At PVA's invitation, Airai State
provided funding for their Tourism Coordinator- Velma Obak, to join the PVA team in Thailand.
“The “P” in PATA stands for Pacific where PATA was first founded..we should have Palau host the
PATA Destination Marketing Forum in the future..” said Noor Hamid, CEO of PATA. PATA presents an
opportunity for Palau to strengthen its position in the global tourism market through enhanced
networking, visibility, professional development, commitment to sustainability, and economic growth.
This year’s event, themed around tourism’s transformational power, provided participants with a
dynamic two-day program featuring panel discussions, case studies, and networking opportunities.
The PVA team engaged in meaningful dialogue with Noor Hamid, CEO of PATA on key topics such as
Niche Travellers-Big Impact, Community-Driven Sustainability, and Embracing Cultural Heritage.
Cultural Immersion and Learning
Beyond the forum, the PVA team took part in a cultural tour designed to highlight the rich heritage of
Phetchaburi. The group visited the renowned Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (Khao Wang), a
former summer palace of King Rama IV, perched atop three mountain peaks. This iconic site,
symbolic of Phetchaburi, provided a fascinating glimpse into Thailand’s royal history and architectural
splendor. The team also explored traditional arts through hands-on activities, including learning the
intricate craft of shadow puppetry. They participated in a Grand Shadow Play workshop, creating their
own shadow puppets following a performance from talented local youth.
Community-Based Tourism
Another highlight of the visit was a tour of the Old Phetchaburi Town Riverside Community, where the
team experienced the town’s rich history and culinary traditions. They visited the Lung Anake Thai
Desserts Factory where they discovered the artistry behind Phetchaburi’s famed sweets, learning how
local producers combine tradition with innovation to meet modern standards. “I was able to see things
that are legit and can improve Experience Airai.I mean, there is always room for more improvements.
Make more activities to occupy visitors between the main sites...I, for one, fell in love with their local
ice cream, which made me think about ice candy with mengur on top glazed with mellolau or ilaot.”
said Velma Obak Tourism Coordinator for Airai State Government.
Building a Sustainable Future
During the forum’s sessions, the PVA team gained valuable insights into balancing tourism growth
with community preservation. Discussions on responsible development and cultural sustainability underscored the importance of fostering community involvement and protecting natural and cultural
assets.
PVA is committed to applying these lessons to its efforts in promoting Palau as a sustainable,
culturally vibrant, and MICE capable destination. Garnering support from the people of Palau will help
boost MICE value for the benefit of our whole industry and, more importantly, bring the local
community and cheldebechel for men, women, and youth into our value chain. The PDMF 2024 was
an invaluable opportunity for the team to learn, collaborate, gain fresh perspectives and inspire them
to integrate some of these practices into Palau’s tourism strategies. PVA extends its gratitude to PATA
and the people of Phetchaburi for their warm hospitality and looks forward to continued collaboration
in fostering sustainable tourism across the Asia-Pacific region.
