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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Adventure in the Deep South of the Maldives
For travellers looking to experience the Maldives beyond the beach, Ayada Maldives offers a beautiful balance of barefoot luxury, natural beauty and soft adventure.
Located in the pristine Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the southern Maldives, Ayada is a private island resort surrounded by turquoise lagoons, lush tropical greenery and rich marine life. Guests can explore the ocean through snorkelling, diving, water sports and island excursions, making it an ideal choice for couples, honeymooners and families who want both relaxation and discovery. From gliding across the lagoon by e-foil, experiencing parasailing at sunset, or discovering the underwater world through diving and guided snorkelling, Ayada allows guests to connect with the Maldives in a more active and memorable way.
After a day of adventure, guests can return to spacious private pool villas, exceptional dining and the award-winning AySpa, creating the perfect combination of exploration, wellness and refined island living.
Located in the pristine Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the southern Maldives, Ayada is a private island resort surrounded by turquoise lagoons, lush tropical greenery and rich marine life. Guests can explore the ocean through snorkelling, diving, water sports and island excursions, making it an ideal choice for couples, honeymooners and families who want both relaxation and discovery. From gliding across the lagoon by e-foil, experiencing parasailing at sunset, or discovering the underwater world through diving and guided snorkelling, Ayada allows guests to connect with the Maldives in a more active and memorable way.
After a day of adventure, guests can return to spacious private pool villas, exceptional dining and the award-winning AySpa, creating the perfect combination of exploration, wellness and refined island living.
Singapore for the curious explorer
Adventure travel in Singapore offers far more than its polished skyline suggests. Beneath the surface of this compact city lies a surprising playground for thrill-seekers, nature lovers, and culturally curious explorers who want their journeys to feel active, immersive, and slightly unexpected.
Urban thrills with a twist
Singapore redefines adventure by blending adrenaline with design. On Sentosa Island, travelers can soar above jungle canopies on zip lines, tackle high ropes courses, or dive into water sports along Siloso Beach. For those who prefer an urban edge, cycling through Marina Bay at night or kayaking past the city’s illuminated skyline delivers a unique sense of motion and scale. The experience feels both futuristic and grounded, making even short activities feel memorable.
Nature escapes within the city
Despite its reputation as a modern metropolis, Singapore is deeply committed to preserving green space. MacRitchie Reservoir offers jungle trekking and the famous TreeTop Walk, a suspended bridge that brings visitors eye-level with the rainforest canopy. Pulau Ubin, just a short boat ride away, feels like stepping into a different era, where rugged biking trails, mangroves, and wildlife encounters create a raw, unpolished adventure. These spaces provide a contrast that surprises many first-time visitors. Adventure in Singapore often revolves around water. Kayaking through the mangroves of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve or stand-up paddleboarding along East Coast Park offers a slower but equally engaging way to explore.
Cultural adventure and discovery
Adventure is not limited to physical activity. Singapore’s neighborhoods offer immersive cultural journeys that reward curiosity. Exploring Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam through guided walking trails or self-led discovery routes reveals layers of history, food, and artistry. Night markets, hidden speakeasies, and street art tours turn the city into an evolving landscape of exploration.
A compact destination with depth
What makes Singapore especially appealing for adventure travel is its accessibility. Travelers can move from rainforest hikes to rooftop views within the same day, making it ideal for curated itineraries that balance energy and ease. For destination marketers and experience designers, this creates opportunities to craft narratives that combine luxury with exploration, positioning Singapore as both a gateway and a destination in its own right.
Urban thrills with a twist
Singapore redefines adventure by blending adrenaline with design. On Sentosa Island, travelers can soar above jungle canopies on zip lines, tackle high ropes courses, or dive into water sports along Siloso Beach. For those who prefer an urban edge, cycling through Marina Bay at night or kayaking past the city’s illuminated skyline delivers a unique sense of motion and scale. The experience feels both futuristic and grounded, making even short activities feel memorable.
Nature escapes within the city
Despite its reputation as a modern metropolis, Singapore is deeply committed to preserving green space. MacRitchie Reservoir offers jungle trekking and the famous TreeTop Walk, a suspended bridge that brings visitors eye-level with the rainforest canopy. Pulau Ubin, just a short boat ride away, feels like stepping into a different era, where rugged biking trails, mangroves, and wildlife encounters create a raw, unpolished adventure. These spaces provide a contrast that surprises many first-time visitors. Adventure in Singapore often revolves around water. Kayaking through the mangroves of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve or stand-up paddleboarding along East Coast Park offers a slower but equally engaging way to explore.
Cultural adventure and discovery
Adventure is not limited to physical activity. Singapore’s neighborhoods offer immersive cultural journeys that reward curiosity. Exploring Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam through guided walking trails or self-led discovery routes reveals layers of history, food, and artistry. Night markets, hidden speakeasies, and street art tours turn the city into an evolving landscape of exploration.
A compact destination with depth
What makes Singapore especially appealing for adventure travel is its accessibility. Travelers can move from rainforest hikes to rooftop views within the same day, making it ideal for curated itineraries that balance energy and ease. For destination marketers and experience designers, this creates opportunities to craft narratives that combine luxury with exploration, positioning Singapore as both a gateway and a destination in its own right.
Beyond the Golden Route on a Japan FAM Trip
Our EMEA Account Manager, Lee Speechly’s recent FAM trip to Japan was also his first trip to the country. He collaborated closely with our local product managers to design a 10-day itinerary that struck a good balance between classic golden route spots (Tokyo, Osaka, Mt. Fuji) and off-the-beaten-path experiences along coastal landscapes (Kashikojima and Miyako).
Looking back at his memorable trip with the eight UK travel agents, Lee says, “It started in familiar getaways so the agents could orient quickly and then moved into lesser‑known areas that show what’s possible beyond Tokyo and Osaka. For agents visiting Japan for the first time, it proved that Japan is approachable and well‑supported by our local teams. For repeat visitors, it offered depth: shrines and craft traditions in Mie, agrarian history around Asuka, and slower rhythms that contrast nicely with the urban days.”
The sheer diversity within this single itinerary gave the travel agents an understanding of the varied experiences possible within Japan. From navigating Tokyo’s hustle and bustle to witnessing AMA divers free-diving without scuba gear, as part of a centuries-old practice of harvesting seafood and pearls, every experience was distinct and memorable.
Lee adds, “With hearty izakaya dinners, fresh seafood lunches and traditional tea ceremonies, the food memories were strong too, with regional variations that don’t appear on typical itineraries. And the agents loved the human encounters: meeting local guides and small business owners who gave context to the places rather than just checking them off like items on a list.”
And this human connection is a testament to how Discova connects people and places with purpose, ensuring every trip enriches the guest, as well as the destination or community that hosts them. This FAM trip demonstrated how we seamlessly manage in-destination logistics, professionally handle on-the-spot adjustments and combine deep local expertise and curated cultural connections to elevate and personalise every itinerary.
“We spent time with locally-owned businesses and moved at a slower, more thoughtful pace, which meant we were actually connecting with the communities rather than just passing through. Our hosts talked openly about why certain traditions and practices matter, and the agents really appreciated that honesty. It felt like travelling with purpose—learning from people, supporting their work, and making sure we weren’t getting in the way of everyday life,” Lee informs.
Although he was initially a bit nervous about leading a group on his first visit to Japan and navigating nuances and cultural differences, once the trip started, managing the journey proved much easier than Lee expected. The team travelled comfortably around the country, with ample ease and convenience.
Looking back at his memorable trip with the eight UK travel agents, Lee says, “It started in familiar getaways so the agents could orient quickly and then moved into lesser‑known areas that show what’s possible beyond Tokyo and Osaka. For agents visiting Japan for the first time, it proved that Japan is approachable and well‑supported by our local teams. For repeat visitors, it offered depth: shrines and craft traditions in Mie, agrarian history around Asuka, and slower rhythms that contrast nicely with the urban days.”
The sheer diversity within this single itinerary gave the travel agents an understanding of the varied experiences possible within Japan. From navigating Tokyo’s hustle and bustle to witnessing AMA divers free-diving without scuba gear, as part of a centuries-old practice of harvesting seafood and pearls, every experience was distinct and memorable.
Lee adds, “With hearty izakaya dinners, fresh seafood lunches and traditional tea ceremonies, the food memories were strong too, with regional variations that don’t appear on typical itineraries. And the agents loved the human encounters: meeting local guides and small business owners who gave context to the places rather than just checking them off like items on a list.”
And this human connection is a testament to how Discova connects people and places with purpose, ensuring every trip enriches the guest, as well as the destination or community that hosts them. This FAM trip demonstrated how we seamlessly manage in-destination logistics, professionally handle on-the-spot adjustments and combine deep local expertise and curated cultural connections to elevate and personalise every itinerary.
“We spent time with locally-owned businesses and moved at a slower, more thoughtful pace, which meant we were actually connecting with the communities rather than just passing through. Our hosts talked openly about why certain traditions and practices matter, and the agents really appreciated that honesty. It felt like travelling with purpose—learning from people, supporting their work, and making sure we weren’t getting in the way of everyday life,” Lee informs.
Although he was initially a bit nervous about leading a group on his first visit to Japan and navigating nuances and cultural differences, once the trip started, managing the journey proved much easier than Lee expected. The team travelled comfortably around the country, with ample ease and convenience.
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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