The Pacific Asia Travel Association is set to organise PATA Travel Mart 2019 in Astana, Kazakhstan in September.

The event will be hosted by the ministry of culture and sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Tourism National Company.

“We are excited to hold the first-ever PATA event in central Asia in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

“As the destination stands at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, it is the perfect venue to organise the association’s signature travel trade exhibition in a uniquely transformational city that blends various cultures and heritages of both the East and West,” said PATA chief executive Mario Hardy.

“We look forward to working with the host in showcasing this truly unique destination.”
Kazakhstan is the heart of Eurasia.

Located simultaneously in two parts of the world - Europe and Asia - it is at the junction of several of the world’s largest civilisations and borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the Russian Federation.

Due to its key strategic location, it is among the strongest supporters of the Belt & Road Initiative strategy adopted by the Chinese government.

According to the World Tourism Organisation, the country received a total of over 7.7 million total visitors in 2017.

Vice minister of culture and sport for the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yerlan Kozhagapanov, said: “We are honoured to be the bid winner and are grateful for the opportunity to host PATA Travel Mart 2019.

“We are positioning Astana as a MICE hub for central Asia and looking forward to welcoming PATA members, hosted buyers and visitors at PATA Travel Mart 2019.”

Kazakhstan has a unique geography with a rich and diverse landscape, which includes numerous lakes, lowlands, deserts and valleys framed by mountains in the east and southeast.