Welcome to the PATA UK & Ireland Chapter
PATA UK is the hub of activity for Pacific Asia. We have a community of over 5,000 travel professionals who strive to be travel experts for a wide array of destinations throughout the region. Our goal is to educate the UK travel trade by hosting events throughout the UK, where members can keep up-to- date about the latest happenings in Pacific Asia.
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Immersive Tours in Singapore
Are your clients seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-track experiences during their Singapore visit? Beyond the iconic attractions and bustling shopping districts, Singapore offers a treasure trove of unique local experiences that showcase the city-state's rich cultural heritage, vibrant neighbourhoods, and hidden gems. From intimate food tours through traditional wet markets to heritage walks in lesser-known enclaves, these carefully curated local travel experiences will give your clients genuine insights into Singaporean life and create lasting memories that go far beyond the typical tourist trail.
Singapore Sidecars – A unique experience where visitors can enjoy a ride on a vintage vespa sidecar, while getting up close to the city’s heritage and culture. Enjoy the wind in your hair and the sights and sounds of Singapore as you whizz around the streets and narrow alleyways.
Tea Chapter – A quaint teahouse that offers a unique experience around traditional Chinese tea. Learn about different types of tea, their history and brewing techniques.
Disappearing Trades – A nostalgic journey to the past, visitors can learn how bread was made in the traditional way, observe how the Chinese pray and pay respects to their ancestors as they brin paper, and coffee lovers can learn the tricks of the local kopi (coffee) industry.
Hush: Night Food Tour through Geylang – Discover hidden culinary gems in the vibrant and unusual district of Geylang. Savour mouth-watering traditional Singaporean cuisine in hole-in-the-wall stalls, while uncovering the secrets and stories of Geylang’ intriguing history and culture.
Gin, Tonic & The Empire Tour – G&T is a popular drink worldwide, but it was also a ‘drug’ that helped during the British Empire. Delve into Singapore’s history as visitors are taken back to the ‘Empire’ and then end the tour at Brass Lion Distillery for a local gin tasting session.
Contact STB for a full list of local tours.
Rhythms of Local Life with EXO Travel
Our curated experiences invite travellers to slow down and connect, embracing the unique pulse that defines a destination. Whether it’s an overnight homestay deep in the Mekong Delta or a market walk in the streets of Jeddah, these experiences offer a window into everyday life that tourists often overlook.
Keep reading to unveil a taste of our immersive local experiences, discovering how these intimate glimpses of life can inspire and enrich travel.
Multi day:
Mekong Delta Immersion in Vietnam
Experience the raw beauty and unique traditions of the Mekong Delta. Spend three days exploring the labyrinth of waterways and villages by bike and boat. Visit a charming island, home to friendly locals who promote sustainable and community tourism.
Luang Prabang Village Homestay in Laos
Escape to a hidden village nestled between majestic mountains and the Nam Ou River. This remote village, accessible only by boat, invites guests to partake in the day-to-day life of a local family living in the countryside of Laos. It's an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience, perfect for adding a rich cultural layer to a Luang Prabang adventure.
Experiences:
Thai for a day
Thailand
Discover Thai culture through the eyes of a local. Spend a day with a family, joining them as they go about their day to day activities. Learn about deep-rooted traditions and hear stories of the past while preparing a typical Thai meal at the family’s rural home.
Home dinner at Merapi at night
Indonesia
Experience Java’s Mt Merapi through a local’s perspective. Travel to the slopes of the volcano and join a family for an immersive evening, learning about what life is like living near the active volcano. Savour a delicious home-hosted dinner then visit a special viewpoint to admire the volcano’s lava slides.
Local village communities
Cambodia
Get a taste of rural Cambodian life. Travel by ox cart to a remote village, stopping to browse colourful markets and to join farming activities. Share a meal with friendly locals and be blessed in a traditional Buddhist ceremony. Explore Tonle Sap Lake and the residents’ unique lifestyle.
Jeddah Foodie Walk
Saudi Arabia
Embark on a culinary journey through Jeddah, exploring the city’s diverse flavours and faces. An array of dishes and drinks provides a genuine taste of Jeddah’s gastronomic tapestry while the walk through less touristy corners provides a deeper understanding of local life and culture.
In the Footsteps of Thailand’s Teak Wallahs
137 Pillars House Chiang Mai invites us on a rare heritage journey, revealing how local life, communities and culture were shaped by the teak trade.
The hotel’s full day excursion ‘Lampang: Teak Wallahs, History and Horse Carriages’ traces the lives of the famed ‘gentleman foresters’ or ‘teak wallahs’ who worked for the European-owned logging companies that once dominated the forested north. In a vivid, culturally grounded exploration of two remarkable cities, find out how the teak era shaped local communities and left a legacy that endures today.
Lampang: Teak Wallahs, History and Horse Carriages:
The day begins with a scenic drive to Lampang, once the bustling heart of Northern Thailand’s teak industry, a city known for its iconic horse-drawn carriages. The first stop is the revered Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a fortified temple perched on an artificial mound. Explore its ancient assembly halls, ordination spaces and sacred Buddha images, while hearing the fascinating legends that have shaped the temple for centuries.
Stop at the charming 1916 Lampang Railway Station, one of Thailand’s most picturesque, before continuing to Wat Sri Rong Muang. Built by Burmese teak traders, this Shan-style temple is lavishly decorated, showcasing the artistry and cultural influence of the Burmese and Shan communities.
Lunch is served at Ban Phraya Suren, a restored heritage house once home to a teak-era administrator. The afternoon unfolds with a classic horse-carriage ride, passing through the old market, historic homes and the Burmese-style Wat Sri. Crossing the Wang River, enter the Forestry Quarter and visit the restored Louis T. Leonowens House, the former teak company office.
The tour concludes at Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, with a brief stop at the historic Rachadapisek Bridge, before returning to Chiang Mai, leaving guests with a vivid glimpse into Lampang’s teak wallahs and teak-era past.
(137 Pillars House Chiang Mai is represented in the UK market by Red Elephant Reps)
MEMBERS DIRECTORY
Use our membership directory to browse PATA members and find contacts for DMCs, airlines, tourist boards & hotel partners in the Pacific Asia region.
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