TORONTO — PATA Canada has cancelled its March 30 PATA eXchange event, with “deep regret and quite a bit of surprise”.

“In spite of an exceptional lineup of educational sessions led by TripAdvisor and a world-class sell out ensemble of Asia Pacific suppliers including tourist boards, tour operators, airlines and technology, the interest from the retail audience to attend did not materialize,” said Barbara Dirnberger, Executive Director PATA Canada.

PATA eXchange was billed as collaborative and interactive to highlight its intent to be a creative, mutual learning opportunity between retailers and suppliers.  The event was scheduled for March 30 at the Corporate Event Centre at CHSI in Mississauga. The $25 fee included educational content, networking, lunch and coffee breaks, PATA Canada swag and free parking.

PATA Canada’s database of agents is up 34% and growing, “leading us to wonder how ‘virtual’ the travel business is becoming when its success as an industry is rooted in ‘real’ travel,” said Dirnberger.

The organization is reviewing ways to provide a new round of creative ideas for the travel trade, she added. “There is always success in ‘failure’.”