Welcome to the PATA UK & Ireland Chapter
PATA UK is the hub of activity for Pacific Asia. We have a community of over 5,000 travel professionals who strive to be travel experts for a wide array of destinations throughout the region. Our goal is to educate the UK travel trade by hosting events throughout the UK, where members can keep up-to- date about the latest happenings in Pacific Asia.
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Trail running your way around Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a true playground for adventure seekers, where world-class hiking trails begin just minutes from the city’s iconic skyline. With nearly three-quarters of the destination covered in lush countryside and country parks, there’s no shortage of scenic routes to explore.
From coastal paths with sweeping ocean views to ridge-top trails overlooking a dramatic blend of mountains and skyscrapers, every step reveals a different side of Hong Kong. Well-marked routes such as the MacLehose Trail and the Wilson Trail offer everything from gentle forest walks to more challenging climbs, making it easy for both beginners and seasoned hikers to find their perfect adventure.
What makes hiking here truly special is the accessibility - many trails are just a short journey from the city centre, allowing visitors to swap urban energy for tranquil nature in no time. Whether you’re chasing sunrise views or exploring hidden beaches, Hong Kong delivers unforgettable outdoor experiences at every turn.
Find out more at Trail running your way around Hong Kong
Travel Risk Professionals: The Importance of a Crisis Team
No tour operator is immune from having to deal with a fully fledged crisis. The more adventurous the activity and more remote the location, the greater the risk becomes
It is vital that every operator has a crisis plan. Part of this plan will be the selection of a trained, dedicated team based on experience and skill sets and who will have responsibility and oversight for responding promptly to and managing the crisis from your end. Segregation of duty within the team and within your business is important.
Following team selection, a crisis response plan should be created. This should include a variety of key areas ranging from dealing with the media through to responding to calls from next of kin. Who has responsibility for notifying Insurers? The plan should include up to date lists of all relevant contact numbers and email addresses. Who within the team has responsibility for individual actions and who has responsibility for oversight, governance and delivery.
Every crisis event is unique, which highlights the need to have an adaptable and robust plan but with key actions and activities common to all covered off. The worst crisis events are often the least predictable.
Brands and businesses will be judged on the speed, empathy and professionalism they employ when handling a crisis. It is vitally important that everyone knows what they should do and when they should do it. But also, what not to do and when not to do it!
The service offered to tour operator clients at Travel Risk Professionals includes complimentary training on crisis awareness, planning and team preparation. Time spent in advance preparation can save time, money and reputation further down the line!
For further information on how to help to build resilience against risk and crisis planning, please contact:-
Alan Pattison
Managing Director, Travel Risk Professionals
alan.pattison@jensten.co.uk
02037505234 or 07943396810
Lee Hills
Senior Advisor, Travel Risk Professionals
lee.hills@jensten.co.uk
02037505234 or 07353112928
Agent Selling Tips: Luxury Travel
PATA Executive Committee Member & Global Head of Product at cazenove+loyd give his top tips for selling luxury holidays to the PATA region.
"Sometimes it feels like everyone is selling luxury travel. With ‘click and book’ properties and itineraries readily available online, it’s becoming harder to stand out. Worse still, it can feel like a race to the bottom on pricing, eroding margins and taking up time trying to match deals clients have already found themselves.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to understand what luxury really means – not just for your clients, but in the wider market. Ask yourself: what am I adding to this trip that they couldn’t get by booking direct? After all, we can all access the same hotels and resorts. Think of these as the ‘hardware’; what you add is the ‘software’ – the elements that make a journey seamless and genuinely special.
For us, that comes down to relationships. This goes far beyond a bottle of wine on arrival. It’s about unlocking private access, arranging unexpected moments or even steering clients towards something more considered and local. When you get this right, feedback shifts, it’s no longer about the hotel, but the experience as a whole. That’s what drives repeat bookings.
We’re seeing this reflected in current booking trends. Clients still expect the best places to stay, but conversations are increasingly focused on experiences, guiding and how their time will be spent. There is a growing appetite for something more personalised and less obvious, with real value placed on insight and access.
Looking ahead, we are likely to see travellers take fewer, but longer, more in depth trips, really maximising the value in the experiences, creating an opportunity to build more considered itineraries, making the most of stay-pay offers and adding depth to each journey."
MEMBERS DIRECTORY
Use our membership directory to browse PATA members and find contacts for DMCs, airlines, tourist boards & hotel partners in the Pacific Asia region.
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