PROFIT IN THE PACIFIC 2006
LE LAGON RESORT, PORT VILA VANUATU
NOVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER 1, 2006

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Asia Pacific’s premier travel industry association, and CDE/ PROINVEST, a programme of the European Union charged with promoting investment in the South Pacific, have joined forces to bring PROFIT in the PACIFIC to Vanuatu in 2006.

PROFIT in the PACIFIC delivers a unique platform for business and investment opportunities to tourism entrepreneurs who seek investment support for their projects and investor enterprises from the EU and other countries.

PROFIT in the PACIFIC features ‘one-to-one’ meetings between prospective partners as well as a conference programme addressing the most significant issues and trends in Pacific tourism.

PROFIT in the PACIFIC provides opportunities for:

PARTNERING with finance houses and their intermediaries who are interested in buying into the burgeoning South Pacific tourism industry.

LEARNING what trends are driving market demand, what new public sector perspectives are influencing the industry and what global and local political issues are influencing development.

GROWING through meeting and conversing with influential leaders from the region and its markets.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND AND WHY?

PRIVATE SECTOR ENTREPRENEURS large or small, who wish to discuss and negotiate development partnerships with EU or regional financial institutions, are encouraged to participate. Coaching for business plan preparation to meet established funding criteria will be made available and some incentives to attend may be provided to appropriate operators.

NATIONAL TOURISM OFFICES, who will act as intermediaries between PATA and the enterprises in their respective territories. On site they will join the debate regarding new public – and private-sector perspectives on tourism.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE INTERMEDIARIES who wish to establish beneficial partnerships with Pacific tourism entrepreneurs. The opportunities offered by PROFIT will be strongly promoted to investment institutions in Europe, with a view to attracting them or their local representatives.

FINANCE HOUSES located in the European Union or third countries (New Zealand, Australia, USA, Asia or elsewhere) will participate both in the one-to-one programme and in the discussion forums of the event.

TOURISM LEADERS OF THE REGION and those associated with the support and growth of the industry will find excellent business connections and new and usable knowledge at PROFIT ’06.

LIKELY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH PACIFIC TOURISM

There are outstanding investment opportunities in such areas as:

Accommodation development and extension
Transport operations – land and water
Training and staff-related matters
Tourism supplies and services
Information and communications technology
Shopping, leisure and theme attractions

A business development specialist acting on behalf of PATA and CDE/ PROINVEST will travel throughout the region to assist tourism. SMEs and others in preparing for PROFIT ’06, as strict business management criteria will apply to all applications.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Whether you are a tourism business entrepreneur in the South Pacific, a representative of a financial institution, a service supplier or someone interested in shaping the future direction of tourism in the region, please:

Contact the PROFIT in the PACIFIC team via e-mail profit@PATA .org for our detailed reservation and programme package.

PRELIMINARY EVENT PROGRAMME

“Growing South Pacific Tourism Through Partnership”

NOVEMBER 27, 2006 (MONDAY)

Participant Registration – all day

NOVEMBER 28, 2006 (TUESDAY)

Participant registration – all day

NOVEMBER 29, 2006 (WEDNESDAY)

· Welcome to ‘PROFIT in the PACIFIC’

· Presentation of PROFIT and the PATA/ CDE/ Proinvest Partnership

· Outcomes and Successes of PROFIT 1 (2005)

· Keynote Address

· Plenary Session 1: Changing Paradigms in Travel and Tourism

Presentation of PATA’s Total Tourism Survey Panel Discussion

One-to-One Partnership Meetings (concurrent)

· Welcome Reception – Hosted Dinner

NOVEMBER 30, 2006 (THURSDAY)

· Plenary Session 11: Improving Access

Presentation of New Approaches to South Pacific Aviation

Panel Discussion

One-to-One Partnership Meetings (concurrent)

· Plenary Session 111: South Pacific Tourism on the World Stage

Presentation on Global Tourism State of Play in the Context of the South Pacific.

Panel Discussion

One-to-One Partnership Meetings (concurrent)

DECEMBER 1, 2006 (FRIDAY)

· Plenary Session 1V: Open Forum

Panel Discussion

Review & Debate of Discussion Sessions

One-to-One Partnership Meetings (concurrent)

· Summary and Resolutions

· Farewell Dinner

Programme updates will appear at www.profitpacific.com