BANGKOK, 5 March 2019: Risks and crisis are two words that often return to frequently haunt the travel suppliers keen to present the travel experience as safe and enjoyable.
Not always the favourite topic for a travel event, the Pacific Asia Travel Association is inviting the region’s travel entrepreneurs to meet in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, for a reality check on how to lower risk levels and resolve a crisis.
Risk mitigation and crisis recovery management will be the theme of the upcoming ‘PATA Human Capacity Building Programme’ that will be hosted in Sabah, Malaysia.
Sabah Tourism Board is the host and core sponsor of the two-day intensive workshop that will be held 17 to 18 April at the Marriott Hotel Kota Kinabalu.
“Global economic losses from disasters are now reaching an average of USD250 to USD300 billion each year, and costs could increase dramatically as we see the further effects of climate change on our planet,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy.
“The travel and tourism industry is one of the most exposed to disasters with many tourist destinations located near hazard-prone areas and foreign visitors being unfamiliar with the environment…It is critical for destinations and organisations to place a greater emphasis on both disaster risk reduction and response, particularly in the age of social media which adds an overwhelming complexity to one’s own crisis communication strategy.”
Sabah Tourism Board general manager, Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani added: “STB is pleased to be working with PATA, the leading voice and authority on travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. This workshop, the first such organised by PATA, will focus on providing participants with the international standards of handling a crisis specifically tailored to the travel and tourism industry.”
Mentor Bannikin managing director Hong Kong, Natasha Martin will lead the programme.
The workshop will provide key insights on how destinations and organisations can prepare for the risks that can potentially evolve into a crisis and perhaps even a disaster.
Participants that successfully complete the workshop will be awarded ‘Certified Asia Pacific – Risk Mitigation and Crisis Recovery Management’ certificates.
The registration fee is USD400 per person and USD700 for two persons.
The fee includes training, materials and meals listed on the official programme, but excludes air ticket and hotel accommodation.
For enquiries or verification, contact Dan Darby at [email protected].
For registration and payment, contact Francesca Chipli at [email protected].
