NAGOYA -- The 48th Pacific Asia Travel Association conference officially kicked off Monday at the Nagoya Congress Center with 1,000 delegates from 45 countries in attendance.

Honored guests at the opening ceremony included Prince and Princess Takamado, and Transport Minister Jiro Kawasaki.

In his opening remarks, PATA Chairman Terry Francis noted that Japan is one of the few countries that promotes outbound tourism and that technology is ending the geographic isolation between tourist destinations.

PATA CEO Joe McInerney followed with the annual report and the announcement that the Maldives has been recommended for PATA membership and will likely be officially voted in next year.

Yotaro Kobayashi, chairman of Fuji Xerox, then presented the keynote address on managing global firms and technology in the next century.

Scheduled for the conference, which continues through Thursday, are panel discussions on strategic marketing, including airline and tourism company alliances, the hotel industry and Sydney's tourist preparations for the 2000 Olympics. PR seminars by government representatives from Hong Kong, Malaysia and Russia are also set.

PATA was formed in 1951 to promote tourism in the Asia-Pacific region by providing a forum for governments and private corporations engaged in the travel industry. PATA members include transport ministries, tourist promotion agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts and other related businesses.