PATA Board Meeting announced in Sarawak, Malaysia that Macao won the bid to host the 54th PATA Annual Conference in 2005.

A 14-strong Macao delegation headed by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Dr. Chui Sai On went to Sarawak last Friday (18 Jan 02) to attend the PATA Board Meeting, where they learnt that Macau won the bid to host the 54th PATA Annual Conference in 2005, which is ever the first time for Macao to host this Conference.

PATA Board Meeting announced the decision after Mr. Joã/;o Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office has made the presentation for the bid.

The Macao Government started the preparatory works for the bid since 1995, and then, the MSAR has been lobbying hard and long for the privilege of hosting the prestigious event and has successfully enlisted the support of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

The MSAR Administration has completed the necessary preparatory works to legitimize the bid, now that, the host of the Conference is an addition to the 4th East Asian Games in 2005.

The Macao Government Tourist Office has been a PATA member since 1966.