Explore the crucial role of women in the travel and tourism industry, Celebrate their achievements, and Discuss strategies for driving progress and promoting equality.

The PATA International Conference on Women in Travel aims to shed light on the current state of gender diversity in the travel sector, examine empowering initiatives, and discuss strategies for driving progress and promoting equality.

Statistically, women have been essential contributors to the tourism industry, representing a significant portion of the workforce. 49.4% of Asia Pacific’s tourism workforce are women,

BUT, female represent:

40%
Mid-level Management

33%
Senior Executive Level

19%
C-Suite Level

In addition, only 24% of major travel, tourism, and hospitality companies' boards comprise women, while 8% are still governed entirely by male boards

(Aptamind & World Tourism Forum, 2022)

Event photos will be posted daily
to PATA's Flickr album.
Check out some best event moments!

Featured Speakers

Senator Loren Legarda
Senate President Pro-Tempore, Senate of the Philippines

H.E. Christina Garcia Frasco
Tourism Secretary, Republic of the Philippines

Atty. Mae Elaine T. Bathan
Undersecretary, Legal and Special Concerns and Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary and Chairperson, Gender and Development Focal Point System of the Department of Tourism

Supawan Teerarat
President, National Food Institute, Foundation of Industral Development, Ministry of Industry, Thailand; Former Senior Vice President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office

Nandini Lahe Thapa
Officiating CEO, Nepal Tourism Board

Chieko Yokota
Gender Equality Division- Climate Change and Sustainable Department, Asian Development Bank

Shradha Shrestha
Manager, Nepal Tourism Board and National Project Coordinator, Sustainable Tourism for Livelihood Recovery Project, Nepal

Linda Adami
Founder and CEO, Quantum Temple

Queenie Chung
Deputy General Manager, Vpon Big Data Group

Preeti Naini
Regional Product Manager- APAC, Go City

Maria Patria Alodia Puyat
General Manager, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria

Maria Paz Alberto
Chair, PATA Philippine Chapter; President, Ark Travel Express, Inc

Catherine Turvill
President, Nurture Wellness Village, Nurture Farmacy, Spa & Wellness Professionals

Aye Mya Mya Soe
General Manager- Cambodia, Intrepid Travel

Ha Lam
Founder, The Happy Firm

Dr. Saninuj “PONG” Sawasdikosol
DM, President of San Travel Service & Business Consultants / Woman Activist & Advocate in LGBTQ Community

Sangeetha Liyanapathirana
Manager - Health, Hygiene and Sustainability, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts

Christine Ella Castañeda
DEAFinite Tour Guiding Services

Programme

Wed, Mar 20: Day 1

  • Registration

Thu, Mar 21: Day 2

  • Main Conference Sessions

    • Opening Remarks by Atty. Mae Elaine T. Bathan, Undersecretary for Legal and Special Concerns & Chief of Staff, Department of Tourism Philippines

    • Panel Discussion - Breaking Barriers: Women's Empowerment in the Travel Industry

    • Women Behind the Scenes

    • Gender Equality and Development

    • Keynote address by H.E. Christina Garcia Frasco, Tourism Secretary, Philippines

    • Tourism Startups

    • Leading the Way: Inspirational Women in Travel

    • Panel Discussion - Sustainable Travel: Women as Agents of Change

    • Closing Keynote

  • Welcome Dinner Reception

Fri, Mar 22: Day 3

Registration

Thanks to the generous support of the Department of Tourism, Philippines,

Registration is open and complimentary for all until March 20.

A US $10 event carbon offset fee will be collected upon registration.

The ticket is inclusive of:

  • Access to the conference & all functions listed in the programme including dinners, lunches, and coffee breaks

  • Technical tour

  • Airport transfer to/from official hotels

Looking to become a sponsor at the event?

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact us at Sponsorship@PATA.org

Event Venue

BE Grand Resort Bohol

Combining contemporary design with laid-back waterfront chic, BE Grand Resort Bohol is situated on the exclusive oasis of Panglao Island and enjoys a balmy climate all year-round. Boasting diverse dining options and a blissfully wonderful spa experience, BE Grand offers engaging service alongside a modern design that also incorporates an infusion of local flair.

Official Hotels

To book the hotels, please send an email to the contact person for each official hotel. USD rates are approximates and subject to the day’s exchange rate.

About Bohol

Nestled in the heart of Philippines’ Central Visayas region, Bohol is a captivating destination renowned for its stunning landscapes, such as the iconic Chocolate Hills and the mesmerising Loboc River.

Bohol also caters to marine enthusiasts with dolphin encounters near Pamilacan Island and coral garden exploration at Panglao, Balicasag and Cabilao Islands. Adrenaline seekers can find their thrill at Danao's Adventure Park, while history enthusiasts can delve into Bohol's rich heritage, featuring old houses, centuries-old stone churches, and watchtowers.

Why Bohol?

Beyond its natural wonders, Bohol has made significant strides in promoting women empowerment through various initiatives.

The province actively supports local women in entrepreneurship, providing opportunities for skill development and economic independence. Women-led cooperatives and businesses thrive in sectors like handicrafts and agritourism, showcasing the strength and resilience of Bohol's female community.

Additionally, educational programmes and advocacy efforts contribute to fostering gender equality, making Bohol not only a picturesque travel destination but also a beacon of empowering women within its vibrant communities.

Getting there:

✈️ By Flight:

The easiest way to get to Bohol is flying to Bohol’s Panglao International Airport (TAG) from Manila or Cebu, or directly from your departure point to TAG if you are flying from Seoul-Incheon or Busan.

Flight time from Cebu to Bohol is around 1 hour, from Manila around 1h 25min.

🛥️ By Ferry:

An alternative to flying is a ferry from Cebu to Bohol. Ferries depart from Cebu City to Tagbilaran, Bohol, and the journey takes around 2 hours.

Visa Information:

Remarks: Please be aware that there are some visa service agents for which the cost may be higher than the government link. We recommend you to start your visa application process through the government link provided above.

Electricity:

The Philippines uses 220 Volts, 60 Hz alternating current as the power source. There are 3 associated plug types, A, B and C.

Currency:

The Philippine Peso is the official currency in the Philippines. 1 Peso = 0.018 US dollar (Jan 18, 2023). The best and safest place to exchange your currency is at any SM Mall (currency exchange counter at SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, or SM Hypermarket)

Telephone:

The telephone country code for the Philippines is +63. The emergency hotline number for the Philippines is 911.

  • Filipino and English are the Philippines' two official languages. Filipino is a native language based on Tagalog; English has official status due to the Philippines being a colony of the United States between 1898 and 1946.

  • Christianity is the majority faith in the Philippines, making up approximately 90% of the population. The overwhelming majority are Catholic, followed by Protestant Christians including the popular Iglesia ni Cristo, independent Christian churches, and indigenous Catholic churches such as the Aglipayan Church.

  • The Philippines has a humid equatorial climate characterised by high temperatures and heavy rainfall. Average temperature is at 32ºC and annual rainfall is approximately 2,348mm, but this varies geographically, from 960mm in southeast Mindanao to over 4,050mm in central Luzon.

  • The summer monsoon brings heavy rains to most of the archipelago from May to October. Annual average rainfall ranges from as much as 5,000mm (197 in) in the mountainous east coast section of the country, to less than 1,000mm (39 in) in some of the sheltered valleys.

PICW2024 is proudly supported by:

Welcome Dinner Reception Sponsor

Event Tech Partners

Supporting Media Partners