Pattaya, Thailand –The Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), a world-class facility of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, crossed another milestone by successfully hosting Asia-Pacific travel industry’s largest event – the 55th PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Annual Conference – from 23 to 27 April.

Titled PAC06 and themed "Changing Lifestyles – New Opportunities", the conference attracted 1,141 participants from 54 countries. Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop inaugurated the conference. The delegates were welcomed by Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Ms. Juthamas Siriwan. While PEACH was the venue of the PATA Conference, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, which consists of four 5-star hotels each with its own distinct style and ambience, donned the role of being the PATA Headquarters Hotel.

The PATA conference is held annually to offer a chance for industry personnel to exchange ideas. Thailand played host to three PATA conferences previously in 1969, 1982 and 1996. However, for the first time the event was held outside Bangkok. The 5-day event offered the delegates great insights into changing lifestyles and the opportunities they present to travel and tourism stakeholders. PEACH presented PA06 delegates with a unique combination of the world-class multipurpose meeting venue together with the services and facilities of the 5-star Royal Cliff Beach Resort, voted the "Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel" in Asia-Pacific in 2005. The meeting utilised all the facilities in PEACH, while pre-conference board meetings, training sessions, press conferences and hospitality functions took place in many of the flexible meeting facilities at three of the hotels in the resort.

On the eve of the conference, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort hosted a cocktail party for the members of PATA Executive Committee and PATA Annual Conference 2006 Programme Committee on 22 April. PATA Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Nobutaka Ishikure, PATA President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong, PATA Annual Conference 2006 Programme Committee Chairman Mr. Tunku Iskandar, Tourism Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Khun Phornsiri Manoharn were among those who attended the party. The invitees were welcomed by the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Managing Director Mrs. Panga Vathanakul, Executive Director Mr. Vathanai Vathanakul and other executives of the resort.

A spectacular ice carving was the centre-piece at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel’s tropical pool-side area where delegates enjoyed a sumptuous buffet and entertainment at the welcome reception hosted by TAT. The Lobby Bar of the hotel metamorphosed into "PATA Bar" to offer the delegates a chance to meet their friends and colleagues at fun-filled theme nights amidst live music. A piano was kept at the disposal of the guests who wished to play all-time favourites. A spectacular Balinese theme was presented as the backdrop for the closing dinner hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia.

To mark the conference, the members of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Executive Committee and 55th PATA Annual Conference Programme Committee as well as the officials of Cholburi province planted Pradoo Par trees in honour of Her Majesty the Queen at a dedication ceremony held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s Tennis Promenade on 25 April.

The 1700 staff and executives of the PEACH and the Royal Cliff Beach Resort worked hard to make PAC06 a successful event and the stay of the delegates a pleasant and memorable one and received many compliments from the top executives of PATA and conference delegates.

PATA President and CEO Mr. Peter de Jong said in a message addressed to the resort’s General Manager Mr. Alexander Haeusler: "You and your many colleagues put on a great show! The food, facilities, the smiles and the service: truly exceptional!"

In another message, Mr. Brian Deeson, who is due to be elected as Chairman of PATA in 2007/2008 said: "We had a great time. The hotel performed extremely well and contributed to the success of the Conference. Well done to all." Similar compliments were also received from PATA Executive Committee Member Ms. Margaret R. Wilson, Foong May Thung of Hong Kong Tourism Board and many other delegates.

In October, the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and PEACH will also play host to Asia's largest show for meetings and incentives professionals - Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and Corporate Travel World Asia-Pacific (CTW) as well as one of the strategic events of the travel industry - the 67th Skal World Congress.