Asia Pacific's best travel contracting and networking show opens in Bali, with a total built up floor space of 4,294 square metres (sq m) -

PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong said: "Going from strength to strength, the Mart is again setting records in 2007."

"In today's highly competitive marketplace, this strong sustained growth is a truly remarkable performance."

Mr de Jong attributed strong member support and increased seller representations from South Asia, Northeast Asia and the Pacific as reasons for the Mart being recognised as one of the biggest travel contracting and networking shows in Asia Pacific.

"In many ways, the success of the Mart is a reflection of the dynamism and the strength of the Asia Pacific region."

Helping to drive this growth is the strong performance of Asia Pacific travel and tourism, which last year came close to 356 million international arrivals for the first time.

Travel to Asia Pacific destinations will continue to outperform long-term average global growth rates, expanding by around 6% per annum to 2009, according to the ‘PATA Annual Statistical Report 2006', which was launched yesterday at the Mart.

"Flows between China (PRC), Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR continue to dominate the numbers, adding 3.8 million additional arrivals and expanding 6% in the first six months of 2007," he added.

Mr de Jong confirmed the official delegate numbers for PTM07. A total of 423 buyers representing 343 organisations from 49 source markets have arrived at Bali International Convention Centre for PTM07.

Buyers have come to negotiate with 830 seller delegates representing 376 travel organisations from 38 destinations.

Mr de Jong described the global nature of Asia Pacific's source markets: "We are pleased to welcome buyers from emerging source markets such as Cyprus, Fiji, Malta, Slovakia and Turkey."

Mr de Jong said: "From a seller perspective, we have a good cross-section of inbound operators, hotels, national and regional tourism offices, cruise operators, airlines and airports. Seller representation which has also grown strongly over the last few years has this year extended to include Canada.

He added: "Not surprisingly, we are still seeing a presence from mainland China, with 14 seller organisations, taking 144 sq m of floor space." Mr de Jong reaffirmed PATA's commitment to growing its activities in the "critical market" of China (PRC).

Highlighting some of the features at this year's Mart, Mr de Jong talked about the outbound workshops organised by PATA's Strategic Intelligence Centre which will offer essential insights into the source markets of China and the USA; both collectively generated more than 90 million international arrivals to Asia Pacific destinations last year.

For the first time, the annual PATA Foundation Silent Auction and the PATA Gold Awards presentation ceremony is being held in conjunction with the Mart.