March 17, 2011, Bangkok: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is launching an appeal through the PATA Foundation to raise funds for disaster relief in Japan, following the devastation there.
Said Bill Calderwood, interim CEO, PATA: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan; the kind of suffering and desolation sweeping through the country is hard to imagine. At the moment, all we can do from a distance is proactively arrange for relief measures in the form of monetary aid, which can then be effectively channelled to the affected areas through the PATA Japan Chapter. We urge all members of the travel and tourism industry to come together in a spirit of compassion and support us in this appeal.”
Said Terry Francis, chairman, PATA Foundation: “We will work closely with the PATA chapter in Japan to ensure the funds raised are directed to the most needy causes, with assistance reaching the affected communities as soon as is practical.”
Established in 1984, the PATA Foundation contributes to the sustainable and responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. It is a charitable body that is a natural extension of the Association’s dedication to the principles of conservation, and humanitarian support.
-ENDS-
Issued by:
PATA Communications,
Bangkok, Thailand.
Tel: +66 2 658 2000 Ext 107 or 127
E-mail: communications@PATA.org
Online newsroom: www.PATA.org
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Pata-ENews/100000208366741
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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