First ever conference focusing on responsible tourism development and capacity building via technology, social media, and mobile.
ANGKOK – Linked with the 2013 PATA Annual Summit (PAS) in Bangkok from April 25-26, Digital Innovation Asia (DIA) is organizing the first ever Digital Aid Asia Forum on April 24th at trendy zuma Restaurant at the St Regis Hotel in Bangkok.
Digital Aid Asia is a brand of Digital Innovation Asia (DIA), and focuses on helping developing tourism regions across Asia to learn how to leverage emerging technologies and digital media for capacity building to develop tourism in a responsible way and drive poverty alleviation.
Emceed by media and global tourism personality Ms. Anita Mendiratta of CNN T.A.S.K Group, speakers will discuss the issues from crisis management, human trafficking, human resources development, capacity building from micro-financing and e-Visa, and how internet and emerging technologies, mobile, and social media can act as an enabler and catalyst to drive positive economic growth supporting the visitor economy.
While the Digital Aid Asia Forum is to drive awareness in the tourism industry how technology can act as a catalyst and enabler for capacity building, poverty alleviation, and responsible tourism development, on the other hand DIA goes grass roots by holding Digital Aid Asia boot camps in developing tourism regions. These workshops are designed around a proprietary 12-point plan that is delivered to these tourism communities. Past boot camps were held in Cambodia, Laos, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Thailand.
Digital Innovation Asia is endorsed and supported by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN), the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), the Tourism Technology Association (TTA), the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the International Federation of IT in Travel and Tourism (IFITT), and the International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals (SKAL).
Digital Innovation Asia 2013 starts on April 23 with the China Boot Camp, helping travel companies understand the Chinese travel market, and how to market to affluent Chinese consumers.
On April 24, the inaugural DIA Awards are hosted at Bed Supperclub in Bangkok in the evening.
On June 10-12, Digital Innovation Asia continues in Bangkok, after Thailand’s tourism trade show TTM+ in Bangkok, and the World Economic Forum South East Asia in Myanmar. On June 10, the first ever Blogger Match-up in Asia will as well as DIA’s inaugural flagship digital innovation summit Speak-Out Asia will be hosted at lebua Hotel at State Tower.
Relevant and interested organizations and individuals are invited to contact us for speaking engagements and sponsorship opportunities. Bloggers and media professionals are invited to apply for accreditation privileges. We encourage nominations for the DIA Awards – nominations are free to submit.
The complete DIA/PAS program:
April 23: China Boot Camp – Pullman Hotel G (10:30 am – 4:30pm)
April 23: DIA Pop-Up Party – Pullman Hotel G (6 pm – 8 pm)
April 24: Digital Aid Asia – zuma Restaurant (10:30 am – 4:30 pm)
April 24: DIA Awards – Bed Supperclub (8 pm – 10 pm)
DIA Awards VIP Reception (by invitation) – Bed Supperclub (7pm – 8 pm)
April 25: PATA Youth Forum – Thammasat University (9 am – 3 pm)
April 25: PATA Opening Party (open for DIA delegates) – Siam Discovery Plaza (6 pm – 7:30 pm)
April 26: PATA Annual Summit – Centara Grand Hotel (9 am – 8 pm)
April 26: DIA Council (by invitation) – PATA HQ (2 pm – 3:30 pm)
June 10: Blogger Match-up – lebua Hotel at State Tower (10:30 am – 4:30 pm)
June 10: DIA Council Meeting (by invitation) – PATA HQ
June 11: Speak-Out Asia – lebua Hotel at State Tower (10 pm – 5 pm)
June 11: The Last Byte – (by TDN.asia) – TBD
June 12: China Boot Camp – (10:30 am – 4:30pm)
June 12: Bangkok Blogger Tour (by Bangkok 101) – for accredited bloggers
June 13-16: Isaan Influencer Trip (by Smiling Albino / TAT) – for accredited bloggers
For more information on how to get engaged in Digital Innovation Asia from April 23-24 and June 10-12 in Bangkok, please visit online and follow-us on Twitter. Tickets are limited, and a PATA member rate, as well as a package prize with the PATA Annual Summit exists. Register here and submit your nominations here. More information about the PATA Annual Summit on April 25-27 at the Centara Grand Bangkok can be found online.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
