Discussions with the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing focused around bilateral relationships between both -

They also discussed PATA's ability to provide useful detailed research of mainly Asian markets and how this can be shared with the DTCM.

The opening of a PATA Chapter in Dubai was on the agenda.

Earlier this year, the DTCM had joined the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) as a member.

Founded in 1951, the Bangkok-headquartered not-for-profit organization is the recognized authority on Pacific Asia travel and tourism and serves the government tourist offices, airlines, hotels and other travel-related companies in the region and beyond.

PATA provides leadership to the collective efforts of more than 45 national government members, 48 state and local tourism bodies, 66 airlines and cruise lines -- all in all, nearly 2,000 travel industry companies. PATA membership includes 17,000 travel professionals in over 80 PATA Chapters located throughout the world.

PATA provides leadership to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 international airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to more than 30 PATA chapters worldwide.