February 23, 2011, Bangkok: Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), has praised PATA’s significant role in the growth of the global tourism industry. From 25-million arrivals worldwide in 1951 to over 900-million today, he said the enviable position enjoyed by the tourism industry today would not have been possible without the work of PATA.
Said Rifai: “Since it was founded in 1951, PATA, as one of the earliest international tourism organisations, has pioneered a huge number of far-reaching promotional activities that has brought destinations in Asia, Europe and North America under one umbrella and speaking with one united voice.”
With an increasing share of the global market, he praised the association’s “unshakeable belief” in Asia and the Pacific, now the world’s second most visited destination. “Tourism of the region, both inbound and outbound, is changing the world tourism landscape and is playing a leading role in the recovery process of the industry in the post-crisis era,” added Rifai.
Throughout 2011, PATA is celebrating 60 years of building tourism with a year-long campaign of events and activities. The focal point of this celebratory year will be the 60th Anniversary and Conference, 9-12 April 2011, at the China World Hotel, Beijing.
Marking the return – after a five-year hiatus – of the PATA Annual Conference, the programme will focus on some of the biggest issues facing travel and tourism executives. High profile speakers from within and outside the industry will discuss topics including distribution challenges, changing demographics, responsible tourism, aviation and new technology.
The conference will also recall the contribution PATA has made over the past six decades, as well as look forward to the role the Association will play in the years to come.
Starting life as a small group of enthusiastic travel professionals back in 1951, PATA has grown into an authoritative, cross-sector membership association, driving responsible tourism growth across the Asia Pacific region.
The PATA 60th Anniversary and Conference will be a pivotal event for the Asia Pacific travel and tourism sector and a must-attend for anyone interested in the ongoing development of this dynamic region.
For more information on PATA’s 60th anniversary, or to register for the 60th Anniversary and Conference, visit: www.pata60.org
-ENDS-
Issued by:
PATA Communications,
Bangkok, Thailand.
Tel: +66 2 658 2000
E-mail: communications@PATA.org
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About PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism within the Asia Pacific region. This year, PATA is proud to celebrate 60 dynamic years of developing responsible tourism.
In partnership with private and public sector members, PATA enhances the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to-from-and-within, the region. The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to over 80 government, state and city tourism bodies; nearly 50 international airlines, airports and cruise lines and many hundreds of travel industry companies across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Thousands of travel professionals belong to 39 active PATA chapters worldwide and participate in a wide range of PATA and industry events. PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) offers unrivalled data and insights including Asia Pacific inbound and outbound statistics, analyses and forecasts as well as in-depth reports on strategic tourism markets. For more information, please visit www.PATA.org
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