THE Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE) is set to be held virtually for the first time this year.
PITE 2020, owned by the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), is aimed at incorporating key components such as business matching between buyers and sellers as well as creating an extensive marketplace for the badly impacted travel industry.
The PITE 2020 virtual event, to be held from Oct 14 to 16, will also include virtual networking and education sessions. The sessions will take place ‘virtually’ in a simulated exhibition centre.
Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the PITE 2020 digital show would be able to showcase not only the state’s tourism products, but also Penang’s infrastructure and facilities.
“It is important that we continue to promote Penang as the preferred, leading destination,” Yeoh said during the PITE press conference and media appreciation session at Hard Rock Hotel Penang today.
The PITE 2020 will be organised by Penang-based professional conference organiser, the ACE Conferences and Exhibitions, with its official media partner Travel Industry Network (TIN) Media.
Yeoh commended PCEB and the event partners of PITE 2020 for the digital initiative.
“I applaud PCEB and its partners for taking the ‘Responsible Tourism’ campaign to heart.
“I would like to encourage Penang hotels, as well as venue, attraction and product providers to take part in the PITE 2020 digital show. Promote Penang to the world,” he said.
The ‘Responsible Tourism’ campaign, launched on July 30, served as a reminder to everyone that adhering to the standard operating procedure (SOP) is a collective responsibility.
The second edition of the PITE, hosted in October 2019, saw participation from 11 countries.
PCEB chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran said the PITE 2020 could promote the state as the destination of business events and leisure.
“Going digital is a good way to connect with partners in a wider scale.
“We are excited with the new method of conducting PITE in a digital manner as it will be a whole new experience for the travel community,” Ashwin added.
Also present was ACE Conferences and Exhibitions director Yen Tan.
Registration is now open for interested buyers and sellers with no registration fee required. Visit www.pite.my or e-mail to [email protected] for more details.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhammad